Planning Appeal Consultants
A planning refusal is not the end of the road. Urban Vista Planning provides specialist appeal consultancy — advising on the strength of your case, identifying the best appeal route, and building the most persuasive possible submission. Led by Chartered Town Planner Dan Chalk MRTPI MCIHT.
We Help With
Appeal deadlines are strict. For householder applications, you have 12 weeks from the date of refusal to submit an appeal. For other applications, it is 6 months. Missing this deadline means losing your right to appeal. If you have received a refusal, contact us as soon as possible.
What We Help With
- Prospects assessment — honest advice before you commit
- Written representations appeals (most common type)
- Householder planning appeals
- Commercial and development appeals
- Prior Approval refusal appeals
- Non-determination appeals
- Enforcement notice appeals
- Award of costs applications
- Section 78 appeals to the Planning Inspectorate
Common Scenarios
We regularly advise clients in these situations:
- →Your planning application has been refused and you disagree with the reasons
- →Your application was approved by officers but refused by committee
- →You have received an enforcement notice you wish to challenge
- →The planning authority has failed to determine your application in time
- →You were refused Prior Approval for a permitted development conversion
- →You want an independent assessment of your chances before appealing
Honest Advice First
We will not advise you to pursue an appeal that is unlikely to succeed. Our first step is always an honest assessment of your prospects — looking at the reasons for refusal, the relevant planning policy, and any material considerations that could tip the balance. If an appeal is the right route, we build the strongest possible case. If it isn't, we will tell you that and explore alternatives.
Honest Assessment
We tell you clearly whether your appeal is worth pursuing before you commit.
Chartered Planners
Led by Dan Chalk MRTPI MCIHT — in-depth knowledge of appeal procedures.
Clear Written Cases
Persuasive, well-structured submissions that make the strongest possible argument.
Fixed-Fee Advice
Transparent pricing so you know exactly what you are committing to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to appeal a planning refusal?
For householder applications (extensions, outbuildings, etc.), you have 12 weeks from the date of refusal. For all other planning applications, the deadline is 6 months. We strongly recommend seeking advice as early as possible — a well-prepared case takes time to build.
What is the success rate for planning appeals?
Nationally, around 35–40% of planning appeals are allowed. Success rates are significantly higher when the refusal was against officer recommendation, when the council failed to properly apply planning policy, or when material circumstances have changed. We will give you an honest prospects assessment before advising you to appeal.
What are written representations?
Written representations are the most common appeal type, where the Planning Inspector decides the case based on written statements submitted by both parties, plus a site visit. Most householder and smaller commercial appeals are determined this way. It is the quickest and most cost-effective appeal route.
Can I claim costs if my appeal is successful?
You can apply for an award of costs against the council if their behaviour was unreasonable — for example, if they refused against their officer's recommendation without sound justification, or if their stated reasons for refusal weren't actually relevant to the proposal. We can advise whether a costs application is appropriate in your case.
What is a non-determination appeal?
If the council has not made a decision on your application within the statutory timeframe (usually 8 weeks for most applications, 13 weeks for major development), you have the right to appeal as if the application had been refused. This can sometimes be an effective way to progress a stalled application.
Received a Planning Refusal?
Contact us today for a free prospects assessment. We will tell you honestly whether an appeal is the right move.