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

Planning appeals by council

South Hams planning appeals

Inspectors allowed 35% of the planning appeals decided against South Hams, 4 points above the England figure of 31%.

Appeals decided
20
Allowed
7
Allowed rate
35%
England
31%

That ranks South Hams 60 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

22 householder appeals were decided against South Hams, with 23% 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 West

Across South West, inspectors allowed 33% of planning appeals on average. South Hams is a shire district.

Other councils in South West

Every English council

Objecting to an application in South Hams?

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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