Using Data to Justify Planning Permission: Make a Stronger Case in 2025

Use Demand and Supply Data to Show Policy Alignment

The first step in using data to justify your application is to demonstrate that your proposed development aligns with existing policy, especially local and national housing need.

Most local planning authorities assess applications based on how well they deliver against local plans, land supply requirements and the NPPF.

Data can help show that your development will:

• Meet unmet housing need in the area, especially for specific tenures
• Support infrastructure provision by aligning with projected local growth
• Address identified gaps in housing type, size or affordability
• Contribute positively to the five-year land supply calculation
• Help the authority meet its own housing delivery test targets

This is especially valuable for complex projects, edge-of-plan sites, or where you’re proposing development on land not previously allocated.

Being able to clearly show the benefits of your proposal, with evidence, can help the planning authority move more confidently toward approval.

Use Data Early in Site Selection to Reduce Risk

One of the most effective ways to justify planning permission is to choose the right site in the first place. By applying localised data at the land acquisition stage, developers can avoid high-risk proposals and prioritise sites with the strongest planning potential.

Data-led site selection helps you:

• Target areas with housing supply shortfalls, where planning authorities are more likely to support additional development
• Align with emerging local plans and draft housing allocations by monitoring local plan progress and consultation outcomes
• Identify locations with infrastructure funding already in place, using data from Infrastructure Funding Statements and council reports
• Benchmark local planning authority performance, including average approval rates, appeal outcomes, and time to decision
• Understand environmental and accessibility constraints by mapping transport links, flood risk zones, biodiversity assets, and heritage designations

Using planning and housing need data before you even submit a planning application helps streamline the development process, minimise objections, and improve your chances of securing consent on the first attempt.

Smart developers don’t wait until planning is underway: they use data from day one to identify viable sites, shape their proposals, and set the foundations for success.

Justify Mix, Tenure and Design Using Localised Insights

When determining a planning application, councils look closely at the design and make-up of the scheme. That includes unit mix, density, tenure split, and the provision of affordable housing. Using local data, developers can tailor their proposal to fit the needs and interests of the local area.

Data points that strengthen your case:

• Local household composition and population growth forecasts
• Rental trends and affordability data from similar schemes
• Waiting list and social housing provision statistics from the authority
• Existing approvals and completions by unit size within the same ward
• Planning system data on under-delivered unit types (e.g. 2-bed affordable homes)

Platforms like Zoopla are useful for understanding local market conditions, such as what properties are currently in demand and how rental or sales values compare by unit size or location.

By presenting this information clearly in your design and access statement or supporting documentation, you demonstrate an accurate understanding of local conditions and build trust during decision making.

You also increase the likelihood that the application will be approved with minimal delay.

Address Infrastructure and Policy Concerns Proactively

Infrastructure, from roads to healthcare and education, is often at the heart of local objections and statutory consultee feedback. Anticipating these concerns and addressing them with data helps developers move applications through the system faster.

Consider:

• Using local school capacity data and GP list sizes to show manageable impact
• Referring to the authority’s infrastructure delivery plan or housing trajectory
• Justifying temporary permission if permanent solutions are not yet in place
• Providing clear figures on expected occupancy, parking demand, and service access
• Cross-referencing with previous schemes in the same site context or planning authority area

These insights show you’re not just aware of planning conditions, but also serious about contributing to local wellbeing, a critical factor in gaining support from officers and elected members.

Address Infrastructure and Policy Concerns Proactively

Infrastructure, from roads to healthcare and education, is often at the heart of local objections and statutory consultee feedback. Anticipating these concerns and addressing them with data helps developers move applications through the system faster.

Consider:

• Using local school capacity data and GP list sizes to show manageable impact
• Referring to the authority’s infrastructure delivery plan or housing trajectory
• Justifying temporary permission if permanent solutions are not yet in place
• Providing clear figures on expected occupancy, parking demand, and service access
• Cross-referencing with previous schemes in the same site context or planning authority area

These insights show you’re not just aware of planning conditions, but also serious about contributing to local wellbeing, a critical factor in gaining support from officers and elected members.

Prepare for Appeal or Committee With Data in Hand

Even well-researched schemes can be refused. In those cases, data becomes a powerful tool during a planning appeal or public committee hearing. The Planning Inspectorate gives significant weight to evidence that demonstrates compliance with policy and planning benefit.

To support your case, ensure your documents include:

• Clear, referenced housing need figures from recent statistical releases
• Data on housing completions in the same period across the authority
• Infrastructure readiness summaries and local capacity figures
• Market evidence justifying your scheme’s tenure and price point
• Examples of similar schemes that have been granted in comparable circumstances

Backing up your arguments with data allows inspectors to decide in your favour when the planning balance is tight. It also ensures your proposal is not dismissed on the grounds of speculation or insufficient evidence.

Final Thoughts: Let Data Guide the Path to Approval

From the moment you submit your application, the data you provide will shape how it is assessed, by officers, committees, consultees and, potentially, the Planning Inspectorate. In a system that demands clarity, guidance, and alignment, using evidence is no longer optional.

Well-presented data can make the difference between a delayed project and one that proceeds with confidence. It gives decision-makers the tools they need to say yes, and helps you move from planning to construction with fewer setbacks.

At Hometrack, we support applicants and planning professionals with localised insight, tailored analytics and tools to help make your case stronger, from pre-application discussions through to delivery.

Want to ensure your planning submission has the data to succeed? Contact Hometrack or explore our Planning Data Hub to see how we support faster, smarter, data-led development.