Decisions

What kinds of outcomes different planning applications can have, because there can be more complexity than just 'granted' or 'refused'.

Council decisions

These are the possible outcomes for a planning application when it is assessed by the local council planning authority. Unless these decisions are appealed, they are final.

Granted

Planning applications which have been granted are given permission to go ahead. The work must begin within three years of approval, unless special circumstances apply. If the work is not started within three years, another application would need to be submitted.

Granted permissions can be conditional on certain criteria being met. These will be published in the decision notice for the application.

Refused

Refused planning applications do not have permission to go ahead. The applicant is not allowed to perform the work they applied to do. The reasons for the rejection will be included in the decision notice for the application.

Refused planning applications can be appealed by applicants or their agents.

Prior approval required and approved

When a prior approval application has been examined, it was found that the proposal requires prior approval, and prior approval has been granted.

This means that the work proposed can go ahead, and does not require planning permission.

Prior approval not required

When a prior approval application has been examined, it was found that the proposal does not require prior approval.

This means that the works can go ahead without prior approval or planning permission.

Prior approval required and refused

When a prior approval application has been examined, it was found that the proposal requires prior approval, and prior approval has been refused.

This means that the work proposed cannot go ahead without submitting an application for planning permission.

Appeal decisions

These are the possible outcomes for applications that go through the appeal process. Only refused planning applications, and certificates of lawful development, can be appealed.

This is handled by the planning inspectorate. These decisions are final.

Allowed

This means that the appeal was successful, and the council's original decision has been overturned. The planned works can now go ahead.

Dismissed

This means that the appeal was unsuccessful, and the council's original decision has been upheld. The planned works cannot go ahead.

Split decision

This means that part of the appeal has been allowed, and part of the appeal has been dismissed. Some of the application has been given permission to go ahead, but not all of it. To find out more, you will need to explore the appeal documents.

Withdrawn

The applicant has withdrawn their appeal. The council decision still stands, and the planned works cannot go ahead.