How Do I Object to Planning Permission?

If you believe a proposed development near your home or business could negatively impact your property, your quality of life or the surrounding environment, you have the right to object to a planning application. In the UK, the planning system is designed to be open and consultative, giving members of the public the opportunity to express support or concern over proposed developments.

Objecting to a planning application can help influence the outcome, especially if your concerns are based on material planning considerations rather than personal opinions. Whether it’s a large housing development on your street, a neighbour’s loft conversion, or a change of use for a nearby building, knowing how and when to object gives you a voice in shaping your local area.

Who Can Object and When?

Anyone can object to a planning application. You do not need to be a direct neighbour, property owner or even live in the area, although objections from those most directly affected often carry more weight. Local residents, businesses, community groups, heritage organisations and parish councils regularly submit comments on planning proposals.

The opportunity to object arises during the public consultation period, which normally lasts 21 days from the date the application is validated and publicised. The local authority will usually notify immediate neighbours by post and display a notice near the site. Applications are also published on the council’s planning portal, where you can view plans, documents and submit your objection.

How to Submit an Objection

The most effective way to object is by submitting a formal comment online via the local planning authority’s website. You can also write a letter or send an email, as long as it arrives before the end of the consultation period. Your objection should include your name and address, the planning reference number, and a clear explanation of your concerns.

Be specific and refer to material planning considerations. These are the issues that planning officers and councillors are required to consider when determining applications. Comments based on personal disputes, loss of view, or property values are not considered valid planning grounds.

Material Planning Considerations

If you want your objection to be taken seriously, focus on relevant planning concerns such as:

Impact on neighbouring privacy and daylight.
Overdevelopment or out-of-character design.
Noise, disturbance, traffic or parking issues.
Effect on listed buildings or conservation areas.
Flood risk, drainage or environmental impact.
Highway safety or access concerns.
Loss of green space or biodiversity.
Breach of local planning policy.

Referencing specific policies in your local development plan or the National Planning Policy Framework can strengthen your argument. For example, if the design fails to meet your council’s guidelines on extensions or blocks neighbour light beyond what is allowed, highlight that clearly.

What Happens After You Object

Your objection will be logged and published on the council’s planning portal, although your personal contact details will be redacted. The planning officer handling the case will review all comments submitted during the consultation period and assess them alongside the proposal, planning policies, and any expert advice from consultees.

If the application is decided under delegated powers, the officer will weigh public objections in their report. For larger or controversial applications, the case may be decided at a planning committee meeting, where councillors vote on whether to approve or refuse the application. In such cases, strong and well-supported objections can influence the decision, especially if they reflect shared community concerns.

Some councils allow residents to speak briefly at planning committee meetings. You must usually register in advance and may be limited to a short time to present your case. Check your local authority’s rules on public speaking.

What If the Application Is Approved Anyway?

Even with strong objections, some applications are approved. Planning decisions are based on balancing different factors, and if the scheme is judged to comply with policy or deliver wider benefits, objections alone may not prevent approval.

If you believe the decision was made unlawfully for example, if the council failed to follow proper process, ignored key information, or breached statutory duties you may consider a judicial review. This is a legal challenge in the High Court and must be brought within six weeks of the decision notice. It is a costly and complex process and requires specialist legal advice.

More commonly, communities lobby local councillors, campaign to amend local plans, or get involved in neighbourhood planning to influence future decisions.

Tips for an Effective Objection

Be calm, factual and professional. Emotional or aggressive language undermines your credibility.
Stick to planning issues, not personal disputes or general complaints.
If possible, include photos, diagrams or other evidence to support your claims.
Encourage others in your community to submit their own comments. Multiple objections from different households carry more weight than a petition or identical letters.
Make sure you meet the consultation deadline—late objections may not be considered.

Example in Practice

A planning application was submitted in a West Midlands suburb for a two-storey rear extension. Neighbours on both sides objected on the grounds of loss of light and privacy. They supported their comments with photographs showing the likely shadowing on their gardens. They also referred to the council’s residential design guide, which discourages two-storey extensions within 1 metre of a shared boundary. The planning officer agreed with their concerns and recommended refusal, which was upheld by the committee. This example shows how targeted, policy-based objections can make a difference.

Conclusion

Objecting to a planning application gives you a say in how your local area develops. By raising valid planning concerns during the consultation period, you can help shape decisions and sometimes influence outcomes. Focus on planning policy, be clear and constructive, and take part in the process early. Whether you are a homeowner, tenant or business, your voice counts especially when supported by evidence and local policy.