A new study by an expert panel at Everest, the double glazing and home improvement specialist, has highlighted that obtaining planning permission can be a postcode lottery…
Location can boost chance of gaining planning application
Analysing data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Everest has narrowed down and revealed the top five most likely locations to be granted planning permission for a site no greater than one hectare – and the City of London is at number one with a 99% success rate.
This was followed by Wigan in the north-west, where 98% of applications secure approval, while the rural beauty spot of Exmoor National Park achieves an impressive 97% pass rate for granting planning permission.
Record highs for number of successful applications
Although nationally, in the region of 32% of applicants had to wait around three months before gaining approval, successful planning applications are at their highest level running at around 88% compared with an 82% average over the past decade.
The move to improve
Increasingly, homeowners are choosing to stay and improve their existing homes rather than fund the cost of moving, which is contributing to a rise in those seeking planning permission to extend and upgrade their properties.
Everest takes initiative to guide first timers through planning process
Everest has recognised the ongoing trend to improve homes and when commissioning research, identified that 25% of applications were rejected and 34% of people who had submitted a recent planning application had experienced initial difficulties in the process, while 32% of people spent an average of three months waiting for consent.
In response to the data, Everest has compiled a guide for first-time applicants, aimed at navigating the pitfalls such as a detrimental effect on privacy or being overlooked, which are some of the most commonly cited reasons for planning applications being rejected in the first instance.
Local communities and neighbours benefit from home improvements
Despite around 25% of applicants listing a lack of neighbour support as a reason for planning objections, overall 65% of the people involved in the survey had experienced no problems with their local residents, demonstrating that general property improvements benefit both individual homeowners and communities.
