The Hardest Places to Get Planning Permission Revealed
They analysed three years of data from the Ministry of Housing, noting how many applications were either accepted or rejected in over 300 district planning authorities. On average 91% of planning permission requests across the whole country are approved, however when you look at individual districts, the likelihood can change dramatically.
The Hardest Places
The 10 Hardest Places to Get Planning Permission in England: (based on % of applications granted)
Location % of applications granted Enfield, London 65.13% Hillingdon, London 66.01% Harrow, London 69.56% Hounslow, London 71.24% Greenwich, London 71.47% Lambeth, London 73.55% Rochdale, Greater Manchester 74.03% Southend-on-Sea, Essex 74.46% Newham, London 76.02% Bromley, London 76.82%
The Easiest Places
The 10 Easiest Places to Get Planning Permission in England: (based on % of applications granted)
Location % of applications granted Carlisle, Cumbria 98.90% Copeland, Cumbria 98.72% Richmondshire, North Yorkshire 98.17% Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire 97.89% County Durham, North east 97.82% Fareham, Hampshire 97.79% Cornwall, South West 97.39% Eden, Cumbria 97.38% North West Leicestershire, Midlands/ Rushmore, Hampshire 97.36% Darlington, County Durham 97.29%
Why is this the case?
As well as understanding where the easiest and hardest places to get planning permission are, we need to consider why they appear on these lists. Getting approved or rejected for planning permission can depend on a number of factors, including your neighbours, the site you want to build on, the type of structure you want to build and the status of the property itself.
We can see that built up areas like London and Manchester are harder to get planning permission in than rural areas like Cumbria. In these cities you are more likely to have neighbours that may disapprove of your plans. The lack of space may also be an issue, meaning that the limited land you wish to build on could be unsuitable for building or your local authorities may disapprove of you reducing open spaces they have.
So, if you live in one of these areas highlighted as being difficult to get planning permission, it is important to consider what may stop you before you go to apply. Perhaps do some research on why people near you have been rejected in the past and see what you can do, if anything, to avoid this.