Planning Appeals

The Planning Appeals Process

Who can appeal?

Only an applicant who has submitted a planning application has the right of appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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 or 12 weeks from the date of decision if it is a Householder appeal. Further details relating to timescales for appeals can be found on the Planning Inspectorate's website (external link).

Appeal Methods

It is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate (external link), 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.

Consultation on Appeals

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 (with the exception of householder appeals). Once The Planning Inspectorate has made a decision, the Council will notify these people of that decision. The Planning Portal (external link)web pages contain further guidance about the planning appeal process.

Current Planning Appeals

View the latest list of current planning appeals (pdf) and local inquiries/informal hearings (pdf).

Appeal Decisions

Details of the Planning Inspectorate's appeal decision on a Planning application can be viewed online under the relevant planning application number.

The Planning Inspectorate

The Planning Casework Service (external link) (PCS) has been developed and is managed by the Planning Inspectorate. You can now make, track and search for certain kinds of appeals online using this service.