Planning appeals in Harrow
Just Planning regularly represents homeowners and developers in planning appeals against decisions made by the London Borough of Harrow. Harrow is consistently one of our busiest council areas for appeal work, with a high number of appeals submitted each year.
Most of the appeals we undertake in Harrow relate to householder development, particularly extensions to existing dwellings.
Harrow’s approach to householder extensions
Harrow takes a relatively strict approach to extensions and continues to rely heavily on its residential design guidance published in 2010. That guidance seeks, among other things, to limit the depth of single-storey rear extensions and places firm constraints on dormer roof extensions and two-storey side extensions.
Although the guidance remains an important material consideration, it predates the current national planning policy framework and the subsequent expansion of permitted development rights for householders. In practice, this can lead to tension between the council’s local guidance and the broader national policy context.
How Harrow planning decisions are assessed at appeal
Planning appeals are decided independently by inspectors appointed by the government through the Planning Inspectorate. At appeal, inspectors will take Harrow’s 2010 guidance into account, but will also consider whether it has been applied proportionately to the circumstances of the case and whether the alleged harm is clearly demonstrated.
This is particularly relevant for single-storey rear extensions. While Harrow’s guidance seeks to restrict depth, national permitted development rights allow significantly deeper extensions in certain circumstances. Inspectors regularly take this fallback position into account when assessing the planning balance at appeal.
Why some Harrow refusals perform better at appeal
Our experience in Harrow reflects this approach. Where refusals rely on rigid application of the guidance rather than clear evidence of planning harm, well-designed householder schemes can perform much better when the proposal is assessed independently at appeal.
All of our consultants are chartered town planners with experience working in local planning departments. We are familiar with Harrow’s Local Plan policies, its 2010 guidance and the way similar proposals are treated by inspectors at appeal.
If your planning application has been refused in Harrow, you are welcome to email us a copy of the decision notice or send us the site address and planning reference number. We can review the council’s reasons for refusal and provide a free initial assessment of whether an appeal is likely to be worthwhile.
