Planning guide
How to use local planning precedents
A useful precedent is a recent, decided application with a materially similar proposal, property and setting. Distance helps, but similarity and the reasoning in the decision documents matter more than a pin on a map.
At a glance
Key facts
- Strongest signal
- Similar proposal, building and policy context
- Keep separate
- Approval, conditional approval and refusal
- Weak evidence
- Nearby but unrelated applications
A reliable process
How to approach the question.
- 01Describe the proposed work in physical and planning terms.
- 02Find local applications and remove unrelated work types.
- 03Rank decided cases by similarity, recency, distance and readable evidence.
- 04Compare recurring conditions and refusal reasons before estimating support.
Worked example
Rear extensions on the same street
Ten nearby records are less useful than three closely matched terrace-house extensions with readable plans. If two were approved at similar depth with privacy conditions and one deeper scheme was refused for neighbour impact, that pattern is more informative than the headline approval rate.
What this does not prove
- Past decisions do not bind a future decision maker.
- Policy, guidance and the physical context can change.
- A high local rate can be misleading if the underlying cases are dissimilar.
Method used
- Confirm the subject property and distinguish applications at the address from wider local context.
- Classify proposal type and outcome consistently, keeping pending, withdrawn and approved-with-conditions cases separate.
- Give more weight to recent, similar and well-documented decisions; retain contradictory evidence rather than hiding it.
Primary sources and official guidance
Source scope, licensing, refresh expectations and known limitations are listed in the public data-source register.
Related guides
How to assess planning-permission likelihood
Build an evidence-led view of planning prospects from policy, constraints, local precedents, conditions and the details of the proposed work.
How to interpret planning refusal reasons
Understand planning refusal reasons, cited policy, design impacts and how rejected local schemes can improve a future proposal.
Apply this guide
Start with the exact UK address.