Search planning appeal decisions.
Appeal Search is a tool for searching keywords and terms across planning appeal decisions in England. You can also see trends, and how the Planning Inspectorate is deciding appeals today compared with each year of the last five years.
Search and interrogate appeal decisions to find what was decided in previous similar appeal cases.
Allowed share = allowed ÷ (allowed + dismissed). Split decisions and part-allowed appeals are counted separately.
How decisions have changed over five years.
Compare the number of appeals decided each year and the share allowed. Break the figures down by appeal type, main issue and procedure on the trends page.
Four ways into the decisions.
Search the full text
Search every word of the decision letters, or just the case details. Use all words, any word or an exact phrase. Results show a synopsis and the paragraphs that match.
Search decisions →See what similar decisions show
Every search summarises the matching decisions: how many were allowed, the issues dismissals turned on, and how recent decisions compare.
Try an example →Compare inspectors
How many appeals each inspector allowed and dismissed, and their record on each main issue, set against the average for all inspectors.
Inspector outcomes →Build a report
Collect decisions as you search. Download the report, print it to PDF, export a spreadsheet, or have it emailed with copies of the decision letters.
Your report →Previous appeal decisions are material considerations.
Councils and inspectors must take relevant earlier decisions into account when they decide later applications and appeals. A like case should be decided alike, or the decision-maker must explain why not.
A second decision on a planning application.
An appeal asks an independent inspector to decide an application again. For applications made on or after 1 April 2026, most appeals are decided on the evidence the council had, so the original application has to be right.