Now updated for the new National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026). What changed

Planning appeals by council

Guildford planning appeals

Guildford sits close to the England average. Inspectors allowed 29% of the planning appeals decided against it, against 31% nationally.

Appeals decided
49
Allowed
14
Allowed rate
29%
England
31%

That ranks Guildford 103 of 195 English councils with at least 20 appeals decided, counting from the most often overturned.

What this means if you are objecting

Roughly one appeal in three succeeds here, as across England. A refusal is not the end of the matter, so an objection grounded in the adopted local plan is worth more than one that is not, because the same policies are what an inspector would weigh.

Householder appeals

32 householder appeals were decided against Guildford, with 28% allowed. These are extensions, loft conversions and the like, and they are decided under a faster procedure than a full planning appeal.

Against the rest of South East

Across South East, inspectors allowed 31% of planning appeals on average. Guildford is a shire district.

Other councils in South East

Every English council

Objecting to an application in Guildford?

Enter the planning reference and we will check the designations on the site, the adopted local plan and the applicant's own documents, then tell you which grounds you actually have. That part is free.

Check my grounds, free

Figures cover April 2025 to March 2026 and come from the Planning Inspectorate, Decisions by LPA and decision maker, published under the Open Government Licence. Section 78 planning appeals only. “Allowed” means the inspector granted permission the council had refused. Source data.

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