More home improvement planning permission requests declined in Swansea than anywhere else in the UK

With the new year in full swing, many homeowners will be starting to think about the home improvements they want to make in 2023. For those looking to make big changes to their home, one of the most confusing and troubling aspects can be planning permission.

To help homeowners, DIY outlet Toolstation has created a guide to planning permission and sent FOI requests to local councils to reveal which areas see the highest approved requests for home improvements compared to the most denied. 

The research reveals that Swansea is the city which sees the highest percentage of denied home improvement planning applications, with one in five (22%) being rejected in the past three years. Luton closely follows with 21% and Burnley with 18%.

While Swansea denies more applications than any other city in the research, the city sees the most appeals granted by planning inspectors. Since 2020, 100% of all planning permission appeals for home improvements have been granted. Nottingham grants the second highest percentage of appeals at 47%, followed by Stoke-on-Trent with 46%.

There are many reasons why a planning permission request can be denied, but the topmost reasons are:

• The work involves a listed property
• The property is located in a protected area
• The building would overlook another property of a neighbour
• The building would block or restrict the daylight of a neighbour
• The work would impact local trees

Denied applications can be re-submitted with the required amends free of charge, if the resubmission falls within the 12-month period.

On the other hand, the city of Lincoln sees the highest percentage of approved applications with 96% being given the green light since 2020.

Edinburgh follows with 95%, while Salford, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich and Derby all sit at 94%.

While there are many different types, a householder planning permission is cheapest in England at £206. Wales is the next most affordable at £230, before the price rises to £291 for Northern Ireland and £300 for Scotland. 

A spokesperson from Toolstation commented on these findings stating, “Planning permission is a fundamental part of many home improvement projects, but many people find the process confusing.

“Not all areas across the UK will have the exact same standards when it comes to planning permission applications, so it’s always best to consult your local council’s website for details specific to your area.”

Home improvements do not form all planning application requests to local authorities, and some requests that council officers recommend for approval can be rejected by councillors on planning committees.

A spokesperson for Swansea Council said: “Swansea, like all other Councils, determines planning applications for households on an individual basis and are determined against national and local planning policies.

“Our aim is always to work with applicants to enable the planning process to go as smoothly as possible.

“Since 2016, we have also provided a pre-application advice service which householders can use ahead of submitting a formal planning application for any development they are considering. There is no requirement for applicants to use this service but it can be useful in addressing any issues with a proposal ahead of it being determined formally.

“In the case of applications being refused, it is possible for issues which have caused the refusal to be addressed in follow-up discussions with the Council ahead of householders submitting an amended planning application. This provides a better chance for an application to be approved.

“In 2022, Swansea determined 97% of all planning applications within agreed timescales (99% of householder planning applications). The Welsh Government target for a good planning authority is one which determines 80% within agreed timescales.”