Planning Appeals - The appeal process
An applicant who has submitted a planning application has the right of appeal to the Secretary of State at the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in the following circumstances:
- if a decision has not been reached within 8 weeks of the application being received by the Council , or
- upon receipt of a decision notice either for refusal or approval (where the applicant is aggrieved by any condition imposed) within 6 months of the date of decision.
It is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate, working on behalf of the Secretary of State, to decide which of the 3 following appeal methods will be used and to come to a decision on a planning appeal lodged:
- by written representations - the applicant and the local authority will submit a written statement explaining their cases
- by an Informal Hearing - where the applicant and local authority submit their written statement of case and then meet informally with an Inspector to discuss the issues
- by a Public Local Inquiry - a formal process similar in operation to a court of law where the applicant and local authority may be legally represented and can be cross examined and call witnesses
Depending upon the method chosen, this will determine how long the process will take before the Planning Inspectorate issues an appeal decision.
Anyone initially consulted on a planning application or has written in with their representations will be notified in writing by the Council should an appeal be lodged. They can then write to the Planning Inspectorate giving their views on the planning application. Once the Planning Inspectorate has made a decision, the Council will notify these people of that decision. For further details about the planning appeal process, the Planning Inspectorate have produced a booklet entitled 'Guide to taking part in planning appeals'.
View the most recent list of Local Inquiries and Informal Hearings that have been arranged.
Details of the Planning Inspectorate's appeal decision on a Planning application can be viewed online under the relevant planning application number.
