If you receive a refusal of planning permission or are unhappy about the conditions imposed you can make an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
However, you should look carefully at the reasons why the Council turned down your application before you consider an appeal. It may be possible to negotiate with the Council and amend the application to make it more acceptable. If you change your proposal and apply again within one year of the refusal you won’t have to pay another fee. An appeal should only ever be a last resort. There are 3 ways of submitting an appeal:
— Written Representation (cheapest, simplest & most common procedure)
— Informal Hearing (discussion forum) or
— Public Inquiry (full cross examination)
The first option is the most common, especially for householder and other minor applications. Appeals for more detailed major applications tend to be decided by an informal hearing or a full public inquiry.
A written representation statement typically includes and appraisal of the scheme and issues, together with maps, plans and photographs but not oral evidence. Whichever procedure is used, the Inspector will visit the site to judge the effect of your proposal on the area.
If you, the Council or the Planning Inspectorate do not agree to the written procedure, a hearing or an inquiry will be arranged.
All appeals must be submitted
within 6 months of the decision date.
The Planning Inspectorate
Further information on the types of appeal, and further guidance can be found on the
Planning Portal website.
The Planning Casework Service is available on the Internet via the
Planning Portal, a Web site that offers a broad array of services on planning.
— You can use the planning casework service to search for a case.
— You can make representations on a case within the specified timetable.
— You can view the location of the appeal site.
— You can also view decisions made on Appeals submitted to the Inspectorate.