Turning a Refusal Into an Approved Planning Permission
The Challenge
The homeowner approached WPS Planning after their planning application for a single storey wrap-around extension was refused by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
The proposal itself was not considered unacceptable in principle. In fact, the Council acknowledged that the design, character, scale and overall appearance of the extension were acceptable. The refusal was based on a single issue: the Council argued that the extension would create an unacceptable sense of enclosure and loss of outlook for the neighbouring property.
For many homeowners, a refusal at this stage can feel final. However, planning decisions are often subjective, and a professionally prepared appeal can make the difference between a rejected project and a successful outcome.
Our Approach
WPS Planning prepared a detailed and policy-led appeal statement that carefully challenged the reasoning behind the refusal.
Our strategy focused on:
- Demonstrating that the proposal complied with national and local planning policy
- Highlighting inconsistencies within the Council’s own assessment
- Referencing an earlier approved scheme on the same property
- Showing that daylight, sunlight and privacy impacts had already been accepted as satisfactory by the Council
- Establishing that the alleged harm did not reach the threshold of “unacceptable” impact required to justify refusal
We also identified that the Council had not undertaken a physical site visit and had relied entirely on digital assessment methods when judging neighbour impact.
Key Planning Arguments
1. The Design Was Already Accepted
The Council’s own delegated report confirmed that:
- The proposal respected the character of the existing property
- The extension was subordinate and appropriately designed
- The development complied with relevant design policies
- There were no objections relating to highways, drainage, heritage or ecology
This narrowed the appeal to one single point of dispute.
2. Previous Planning Permission Strengthened the Case
A previously approved extension at the same property had already established that single storey development close to the shared boundary was considered acceptable.
We demonstrated that the Council failed to properly assess the relevance of this earlier approval when refusing the new application.
3. The Impact on the Neighbour Was Overstated
Our appeal evidence showed that:
- Existing boundary fencing already created a degree of enclosure
- The neighbouring property sat on slightly higher ground
- The extension would not materially worsen outlook conditions
- Daylight and sunlight impacts were already considered acceptable by the Council
This reinforced the argument that the proposal would not create the level of harm necessary to justify refusal.
The Appeal Decision
Following a site visit, the Planning Inspector allowed the appeal and granted planning permission.
The Inspector concluded that:
“The erection of a single storey flat roof extension to the side and rear of the appeal property will not markedly change the outlook from the neighbouring windows or increase the sense of enclosure to the neighbouring occupiers to any noticeable extent.”
The Inspector also confirmed that the proposal complied with both London Plan Policy D3 and local amenity policies.
The Result
- Planning appeal allowed
- Full planning permission granted
- Client able to proceed with extension plans
- Refusal successfully overturned
This case demonstrates the importance of expert planning advice and professionally structured appeal submissions. A refusal does not always mean the end of a project.
Why Clients Choose WPS Planning
At WPS Planning, we specialise in:
- Planning applications
- Planning appeals
- Householder extensions
- Policy-led planning strategies
- Negotiations with local authorities
We understand how to identify weaknesses in refusal decisions, build strong planning arguments, and present clear evidence that gives clients the best possible chance of success.
Whether you are preparing a new application or challenging a refusal, professional planning representation can significantly improve your outcome.
Need Help With a Planning Refusal?
If your application has been refused, we can assess your case and advise whether an appeal is likely to succeed.
Contact WPS Planning today to discuss your project and explore your optio