Householder Planning Appeal Consultants

Our planning consultants have a detailed understanding of the householder planning appeal process and can assist you with your project.

For a detailed explanation of the householder planning appeal process, please on:

What is a Householder Planning Appeal?

Understanding householder planning appeals is essential for homeowners and developers embarking on small-scale projects.

Whether you're adding an extension, building a garage, or installing a swimming pool, knowing how to appeal a planning decision can save you time and money.

This article will guide you through what constitutes a householder planning appeal, the timeline involved, and how it differs from full planning permission.

What is a Householder in Planning?

A householder application relates to development to an existing house.

It also includes development within its curtilage for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse. The definition is set out in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (DMPO).

Householder development projects can include: extensions, loft conversions alterations, garages, swimming pools, walls, fences, porches etc

A householder planning applications does not include applications for a change of use or alter the number of dwellings in a building.

What is a Householder Planning Appeal?

A householder planning appeal is the process that allows homeowners to challenge a refusal of a householder planning application.

A householder planning appeal may be necessary where:

• Refusal of permission: If the council refuses your householder planning application.

• Failure to determine: If the council fails to make a decision on your application within the statutory period, you can appeal this non-determination.

• Objection to conditions: You can appeal any conditions attached to your householder planning approval.

The Timeline for making a Householder Appeal

The timeline for making a householder appeal varies depending on the type of appeal and the specific circumstances. Here’s a breakdown:

• Refusal of a householder planning application: If the council refuses your application, you must file your appeal within 12 weeks of the date on the decision notice.

• Failure to determine a householder planning application: If the council does not make a decision within 8 weeks of validating the application, you have 6 months from the expiry of this period to file your appeal.

• Grant of permission with conditions: If the council grants permission but attaches conditions that you wish to contest, you must file your appeal within 6 months of the date on the decision notice.

How Long do Householder Planning Appeals Take?

It is taking the Planning Inspectorate approximately 16 to 19 weeks to determine householder planning appeals.

The Written Representations Procedure

The written representations procedure is the most common method for handling householder planning appeals.

It is generally the simplest, quickest, and most straightforward way to appeal a planning decision.

The appeal is decided based on written material provided by all parties involved. The Inspector will review the submitted documents and usually visit the appeal site.

Sometimes, the Planning Inspectorate may decide that an appeal should follow a hearing or an inquiry procedure. This quite rare for householder planning appeals.

Who Can Appeal and How to Apply

Anyone who has submitted a householder planning application can appeal a decision made by the council.

To file an appeal, you will need the planning application number and the decision date.

Award of Costs

If you believe the council has behaved unreasonably and caused you financial loss, you can also apply for an ‘award of costs’.

For instance, if the council’s actions caused you to miss a deadline or incur unnecessary expenses, you may be eligible to claim these costs. The council can also apply to get costs from you if they believe your actions have been unreasonable.