Old planning refusal

[BeGentleMaker]

We're looking to view a house and are concerned that a neighbour will be developing next to it. I think that it would devalue the property significantly if the development went ahead.
I realize that without a crystal ball this is probably impossible but...

Does anyone know the best way to find out the chances of a previously refused planning application being approved if they tried again?

I looked on the council website and they applied in 2018 for a dwelling, it was refused, they applied again in 2020 for a dwelling & parking area and that was also refused. They appealed and in 2021 the Planning Inspectorate refused their appeal.

Depends why the planning inspectorate refused.

The appeal seemed based on the Council not supplying deliverable housing sites.
The Planning Inspectorate listed main issue refusal as the site being limited benefit, the accessibility of the site to services, and the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the countryside.

Well that sounds quite definitive.

Only thing better than that is flooding refusal.

So I reckon you’re safe.

You can never say never.

Is the site in a village? There might be a possibility IF the Council changes the status of the village as being suitable for new development. At the moment it sounds as though the property is designated as in the countryside rather than a settlement, so fairly safe.
Councils are always having to provide more housing - especially with the recently updated housing targets issues by the Government. Many more rural areas have had their targets significantly increased. This may lead to new villages being designated as areas suitable for new development.

The property is just outside the village. I guess my worry is that the appeals refusal was 2021 and as you say, goverment housing targets will have changed.

I understand about searches for current planning applications but does anyone know if there is anywhere to ask for likely planning approval for a particular plot?
Would local councils be likely to give guidance? Or someone else?

We had planning refused 4 times and it’s just gone straight through. The councils have to fill their stock now, so lots will go through and the easiest ones are old ones as the works been done. If you are worried I’d walk away.

Can you find out if the council have a suitable housing land supply already? If they do then they will be less affected by the government changes because they've allocated enough land for housing and don't need windfall sites

Guidance changes , and is currently changing again , so you cannot rely on a historic refusal under a different interpretation of the NPPF and housing quotas. Is there a recent Local and/or Neighbourhood plan?

Thanks to all for the replies. Hadn't thought about what @reversegear said about planning applications and "easiest ones are old ones as the works been done" so that's something to think about.
Yes, @GandTtwice I'll see if I can find out about suitable land supply,perhaps I can just ring them. @LIZS what is "a recent Local and/or Neighbourhood plan?"

Depending on your local planning authority structure your council/s may have initiated a plan earmarking different types of land in the area, including designating where might be suitable for larger developments or otherwise protected. Every area was supposed to have a Local Plan under the previous government which showed how they might meet the housing targets, but many did not comply or their plans were not adopted and sent back to drawing board.

The local plan will be a list of the policies that the council take into account when they assess an application, it'll be on their website. The more up to date it is the more likely their housing supply will be also up to date. A neighbourhood plan is more specific to a ward/parish and is written by the residents. It's still taken into account by the planning officer

I would proceed with caution. I'm aware of a plot outside the village boundary that was refused planning permission numerous times. Appeal rejected once, but it went through on the second appeal.

If a planning application has been refused more than once, it would only be likely to have a different decision made if something has changed - either the design, if the reasons for refusal have been addressed or if there has been a change in the development plan (or national plan) policies.

You don't get planning permission for persistently applying for the same thing over and over again. But you could get permission if you make the changes to overcome why it was refused before.