How to Win a Planning Appeal: Top Tips and Strategies

Introduction

Winning a planning appeal requires careful preparation, thorough research, and strategic thinking. By understanding the local planning authority's decision, delving deep into planning policies and seeking expert advice, you can prepare a strong case which increases your chances of success.

At Cedar Planning, we have a proven track record of winning planning appeals and can provide you with the expertise and support you need to achieve a positive outcome.

In this blog post, we will share our top tips on how to win a planning appeal.

Tip 1: Understand the Local Planning Authority's Decision

Before launching an appeal, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the local planning authority's decision and the reasons behind it. Officer's Report or Committee Reports for your application provide valuable insight into the Council's thoughts on your proposal. Initially, we recommend reviewing these documents to see if a slight amendment to the scheme could win over the Council.

If you wish to proceed with an appeal, the Decision Notice sets the basis for the appeal, so it is very important to understand this, and why the Council have refused your application.

Tip 2: Review other appeal decisions

At Cedar Planning we keep on top of key appeal decisions across the country which will help your case. Highlighting other similar appeal decisions can be very helpful for your case. For example, if your Local Planning Authority has refused your planning application as it is outside of a settlement boundary or would result in the loss of employment land, but a Planning Inspector found these to be irrelevant in similar cases, then this can help your cases.

Tip 3. Present a Compelling Statement of Case

For most planning appeals, your Statement of Case is your only opportunity to sell the benefits of your proposal to the Planning Inspector. With this in mind, when submitting your planning appeal, it is important to present a compelling statement of case that clearly outlines your arguments and addresses the reasons for refusal. This document should be well-structured, concise, and supported by evidence.

The Statement of Case should be focused, and address the relevant planning policies and considerations and provide a counter to the Council's reasons for refusal. This could include case studies, other schemes which set a precedent or additional technical studies.

Finally, ensure that your statement of case is well-organised and easy to navigate. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader through your arguments and evidence. Include references to relevant planning policies, legislation, and guidelines to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the planning process.

By presenting a compelling statement of case that addresses the reasons for refusal and provides strong evidence to support your arguments, you increase your chances of success in the planning appeal process.

Tip 4: Seek Expert Advice

At Cedar Planning we know how to win a planning appeal. Our expert knowledge and understanding of planning policies allows us to provide valuable insights to clients, helping them navigate the complex planning appeal process. We use this knowledge to best argue your case at appeal.

We have a high success rate for planning appeals, and offer a reliable service with fast turnaround times. Read our dedicated Planning Appeal Service page for more information.

We aim to provide you with a draft copy of our Appeal Statement of Case within 2 weeks of instruction.

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