Town planning know how books

How to object to a planning application or planning appeal - book by Christian Leigh MRTPI

How to appeal against a refusal of planning permission

Thousands of planning applications are made every year across England. Not all of them are successful, but the Council's decision is not necessarily final. Many thousands of people take advantage of the free right of appeal. This book guides you through this process.
Update: from 1 April 2026 the regulations for appeals are changing significantly. The content of this book will be out of date after then. More details here. A revised How To book will be published.

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How to object to a planning application or planning appeal

Have you been informed of a planning application near you? Or a planning appeal? It is essential your objection is clear, well-written and relevant to planning policies and law. This book explains how to make an effective objection.
Update: the guidance in the book remains relevant for planning applications, but after 1 April 2026 the change in planning appeals mean that section of the book will be out of date. More details here. A revised How To book will be published.

Read more...

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Testimonials

Alex Fergusson, AF Architects

Mr Leigh has successfully secured a number of appeals for us and this excellent step by step guide has all the hallmarks of his concise and methodical approach.

Gary Short, Shorts Group

Over many years Christian has provided my firm with advice on town planning. This book is an excellent user-friendly guide for small businesses and the public in how to undertake the tricky planning appeals process.

Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

Tony Grover, BDS Surveyors

Christian has been an invaluable Consultant over the years, with his in-depth knowledge of planning helping several of my clients to navigate their way through the planning system. It’s great that he's been able to condense the salient points of that experience into these easy to understand guides, to enable people to engage with planning departments to good effect.

About the author

Christian Leigh is a chartered town and country planning consultant, with 30 years’ experience working in private planning practice. Over this time his clients have included national housebuilders and development companies, many large and small businesses, as well as local and central Government.

He also works for numerous private clients and householders, as well as providing advice to architects, solicitors, surveyors and other professionals in the industry. This work has involved submitting many successful planning applications and appeals, as well as making representations on behalf of clients objecting to developments.

Christian speaks on town planning and writes articles for magazines and websites. He was formerly Lecturer in Planning Law and Practice at the Henley Business School, University of Reading, which is ranked as the leading Real Estate centre in Europe, and ranked No. 1 in the UK for Land and Property management.