Planning and development
Examples: Neighbour's extension, New flats proposed, Building work without permission.
What do you need?
Pick one — each answer below says where to start and where to go next.
I want to report a problem or apply for something
Start here
Portsmouth City Council — Development Management
Comment on (support or object to) a planning application → · 023 9268 8832
Why them: The council is the local planning authority and decides applications.
- Weigh comments that raise planning issues: policy, design, neighbour amenity (light, privacy, noise), traffic and road safety
- Count named objections towards the threshold for a Planning Committee decision
- Refuse a proposal simply because many people object
- Take account of property values, loss of view, covenants or ownership disputes
- Acknowledge or correspond on individual comments
- Take anonymous comments into account
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Also useful
Portsmouth City Council — Planning Enforcement
Report a suspected breach of planning control in writing →
Why them: Unauthorised building work is an enforcement matter, not an application comment.
- Investigate written complaints and allocate a named case officer
- Act on breaches causing significant harm to amenity
- Investigate anonymous complaints, except about listed buildings, conservation-area trees or TPO trees
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I want to challenge a decision that has been made about me
Start here
Planning Inspectorate (via GOV.UK)
Appeal a refusal or conditions — applicants only; others can comment on the appeal →
Why them: Only the applicant (or someone on their behalf) can appeal a council planning decision; neighbours can comment once an appeal is made.
- Decide appeals against refusal, conditions or non-determination (8 weeks; 13 for major projects)
- Take comments from interested parties
- Hear an appeal from a neighbour or objector against a grant of permission
- Comment on an appeal — If an applicant has appealed and you want your view considered
- High Court — If you think an appeal decision is legally incorrect
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Also useful
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Complain to the LGSCO about how the council decided a neighbour's application →
Why them: No body can hear a neighbour's appeal against a grant, but the Ombudsman can look at fault in how the council decided it.
- Investigate fault in how the council acted and whether it caused you injustice
- Recommend apologies, payments or changes to council procedures
- Overturn the permission or order demolition
- Find fault just because you disagree with a properly made decision
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I need someone to help me with my case
Start here
Your ward councillors (3 per ward, 14 wards)
Ask your ward councillor to take up your case or raise it with the council →
Why them: Councillors do ward casework and set council policy and budget, so they can chase officers on a council matter and raise patterns with the relevant Cabinet member or a scrutiny panel.
- Raise your case with council officers and ask for an explanation
- Act as your representative in a council complaint (with your consent)
- Raise an issue with the relevant executive (Cabinet) member or ask a scrutiny committee to look at it
- Help you register to speak at Planning Committee (only registered speakers are notified of the date)
- Instruct officers to overturn a decision taken under a statutory process
- Decide matters that belong to another body (NHS, police, water companies, government departments)
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I want to change how things are done, not just fix my case
Start here
Portsmouth City Council — Local Plan and planning policy
Respond to Local Plan and planning policy consultations →
Why them: Individual decisions follow the Local Plan, so the plan is where residents shape what gets approved.
- Consult on the Local Plan and supplementary planning documents under its Statement of Community Involvement
- Override national planning policy, which is set by government
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Also useful
Your ward councillors (3 per ward, 14 wards)
Ask your ward councillor to take up your case or raise it with the council →
Why them: Councillors do ward casework and set council policy and budget, so they can chase officers on a council matter and raise patterns with the relevant Cabinet member or a scrutiny panel.
- Raise your case with council officers and ask for an explanation
- Act as your representative in a council complaint (with your consent)
- Raise an issue with the relevant executive (Cabinet) member or ask a scrutiny committee to look at it
- Instruct officers to overturn a decision taken under a statutory process
- Decide matters that belong to another body (NHS, police, water companies, government departments)
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I have complained and it has not been put right
Start here
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Ask the Ombudsman to investigate once the council complaints process is finished →
Why them: It is the independent, free final step for complaints about council services, adult social care and most council housing functions other than social housing.
- Investigate fault in how the council acted and whether it caused you injustice
- Recommend apologies, payments or changes to council procedures
- Look at your complaint before the council has had the chance to resolve it
- Overturn a decision the council made properly just because you disagree with it
- Investigate issues that carry their own right of appeal to a tribunal
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Your councillors and MP
Useful if the route above has failed, or it's about local policy. Optional: we look up your postcode once and never store it.
Good to know
This tells you where to start and what comes next. It is not legal advice. Time limits shown are the ones each body publishes; always check your own decision letter, which may give a different deadline.