Planning Appeals

Planning refusal doesn’t have to be the end of your project. Our family-run consultancy brings nearly 20 years of experience in planning appeals across England, offering clear advice and tailored representation to help you secure approval.

If your planning application has been refused, options to move your development project forward may still be available to you. In England, you have the legal right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and with the right advice and representation, you can significantly improve your chances of success.

We are a family-run planning consultancy with nearly two decades of experience helping homeowners, developers, and landowners across England navigate the planning appeal process. Our approach is always personal, transparent, and focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you.

Understanding Your Options Before You Appeal

We never jump straight into an appeal without first exploring all other possible routes. In some cases, further negotiation with your local planning authority can resolve matters without the time and cost of a formal appeal.

However, when there is a fundamental disagreement – or your project faces an in-principle objection – appealing may be the only way forward. That’s when our expertise comes into its own.

The Three Main Planning Appeal Routes

There are three recognised methods for appealing a planning decision in England:

  1. Written Representation – the most common and cost-effective approach. However, from the 1st April 2026, you will no longer be able to provide further information through a full Statement or additional reports at the appeal stage.  In effect, the appeal will be determined on the same basis as the original planning application.  To find out more, read our article: Changes to written representation appeals explained.
  2. Hearing – a less formal alternative to a Public Inquiry, involving a structured discussion.
  3. Public Inquiry – the most formal and detailed route, usually for complex or high-profile cases.

We will assess your development aims, feedback from the application and recommend the most effective route for your circumstances.

Why Choose Us for Your Planning Appeal?

Our planning appeal service combines in-depth technical knowledge with practical, real-world experience:

  • Access to case law and appeal databases to strengthen your argument;
  • Nearly 20 years of planning appeal experience across a wide range of projects;
  • Access to leading planning chambers for expert counsel opinion on strategy or legal points;
  • A proven track record of successful appeal outcomes.

We build robust, persuasive appeals that clearly address the reasons for refusal and demonstrate why your project should be approved.

Planning appeal – Don’t Miss the Deadline

Always check your Decision Notice for the exact deadline, but as a guide:

  • Householder appeals: 12 weeks from the date of determination.
  • Most other developments: 6 months from the date of determination.
  • Enforcement appeals: strict and shorter deadlines, depending on the notice type.

Missed deadlines can mean your right to appeal is lost, so acting quickly is essential.

Contact us today for expert planning appeal advice and a free, no‑obligation consultation. Let us help you turn your planning refusal into an approval.

A team you can trust

Plainview Planning is an independent consultancy that has supported clients across England since 2008. We believe good planning starts with listening, and we take pride in offering clear, supportive advice. From homeowners and landowners to developers, farmers, and businesses, we think strategically to unlock site potential, achieve development goals, and build trusted relationships that last beyond each project.

Meet our team

Royal Town Planning Institute Accredited
Plainview Plannging Team

Some of our clients

Below are some of the commercial clients and organisations we work with. You can view all our recent projects or read our latest news and updates.

I didn’t believe the outcome having to read your email and the EFDC platform several times. It didn’t sink in until Monday morning even after cracking open a bottle of champagne with Sunday dinner. So very grateful for all your amazing services professionalism and support. Thank you.

Mr. Seymour, Essex

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Throughout the entire application process everybody involved from the Plainview Planning team provided me with the very highest levels of courtesy, patience and above all professionalism. The positive outcome of this application clearly shows your business formula works. Once again thank you for taking on this application and getting the desired result.

Disdale Gordon, D and G LTD London

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Thank you for helping us with our appeal. The difference this has made to our lives is amazing. I would highly recommend Plainview Planning to anyone I know, who finds themselves in a similar situation.

Mrs Shergold, Essex

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Thank you so much for all your help!

Anytime Fitness, Camden

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Having recently been granted planning permission for a Paragraph 79 in West Sussex it has been no mean feat! From the outset we were impressed by their positivity and reassurance that if we play the long game we would get there in the end. This has been proven to be true! They were as determined as we were to get the planning passed. We can't thank you enough.

Mr & Mrs Perryman, West Sussex

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Seriously, we literally couldn’t have done it without you so on behalf on myself & the Directors of Hunter Vehicles Ltd, THANK YOU.

Hunter Vehicles Ltd, Harlow

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Really well-presented Plainview. Great work.

Aventier Ltd., Greenwich

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Thank you for what was an outstanding level of professionalism and service that we received in our recent planning application. Without your knowledge and efforts against what was an extremely difficult planning authority, we would not have been successful in our application from annexe to annexe/holiday let. The planning consent granted was a hard-fought battle that you and the team helped us survive. There is absolutely no hesitation in recommending Plainview Planning to anyone.

Mr Griffiths, Essex

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I would like to say THANK YOU! The service was top class! The knowledge, advice, recommendation I received from the beginning to the end of my application was honest and professional! Thank you once again! I am beyond happy that this has settled in our favor!

Ms Jackowska, Essex

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It was an absolute pleasure having Plainview Planning on board, for our difficult Planning Application. The team was amazing for overlooking and progressing the application focusing on each and every detail, to keep the wheels in motion. I cannot thank you enough. Well done.

Mr M Mohamed, London

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We received great initial advice and communication on a planning issue that could have gone either way. Whilst being honest and realistic of our chances, together we agreed a strategy for appealing the decision which eventually resulted in an appeal to the Secretary of State. I am pleased to say that we have now finally achieved approval and could not have done it without their advice and professionalism. We would recommend Plainview Planning without hesitation.

Mr & Mrs Boyce, Essex

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After a previously stressful experience we needed someone to 'hold our hands' and, for my part, to feel like someone cared about our forever home project as much as we did. Their professional approach & expert knowledge was combined with a genuine desire for us to succeed. I felt reassured and supported throughout and I wish we had known about Plainview Planning sooner. I would not hesitate in recommending you to anyone considering a self-build.

Mrs Johnson, Hertfordshire

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From our very first conversation through to the successful outcome Plainview planning have been exceptional. They communicated with us every step of the way, always responding promptly to our questions and explaining everything in a clear and reassuring manner. What initially felt like a daunting and uncertain process became far more manageable thanks to their expertise, professionalism, and genuine care.   After years of uncertainty surrounding my mother's property, they achieved the outcome our family had been hoping for by...

Mrs Goodge, Chichester

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Thank you very much. I appreciate your responsive and professional service.

Farooq Azami, London

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Working alongside Plainview planning has been a pleasure from start to finish. Their advice and expertise has been paramount to the success of getting planning permission for my project. My project was complex involving mobile home planning law, neighbourhood plans and a fractured and detailed site history. The team were excellent at replying to my concerns and finding a lawful route to my challenging planning needs. I couldn't be happier with their level of service and I fully recommended them...

Mr James, Cambridge

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From start to finish, it was a pleasure working with Plainview Planning. The team are a wealth of knowledge and support, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. Their breadth of experience is invaluable when navigating planning projects, particularly those involving contentious issues requiring a common‑sense approach. Whatever stage you’re at, they are highly recommended to help bring your ideas to fruition.

Mrs Sadler, Essex

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I would just like to thank you all for your support and help – I don’t think we would have won this appeal without your inputs

Mr Oppenheimer, Sussex

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I just wanted to say that I have been delighted with the professional attentive service that I have received from Plainview Planning since my association with them first started at the end of 2018.

Mrs Symons, Essex

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I have to say, from day one, I knew you would be instrumental to the whole venture succeeding - and I wasn't wrong. You have dealt with it all with gold standard professionalism, and I cannot thank you enough.

Mrs Young, East Yorkshire

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The team at Plainview Planning have provided superb support for our planning application for a new dwelling. They have provided deep expertise, great cross-functional working with our team of architects and consultants, creative solutions to potential barriers and been a pleasure to deal with as well! What more could you ask for?

Mr Lillie, Bristol

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