Planning Appeals Process

How can I appeal against the Council’s decision?

If you are aggrieved by the Council’s decision to refuse permission, or to grant permission subject to conditions, you may appeal to the First Secretary of State within 6 months of the date of the decision notice (or in the case of advertisement consent applications, within 8 weeks of the date of the decision notice).

You may also appeal if the Council fails to make a decision on your application within the relevant timescale, as set out in the standard letter sent to you (or your agent) acknowledging receipt of the application.

Appeals must be made on a form which is obtainable from The Planning Inspectorate, Customer Support Unit, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, TempleQuay, Bristol, BS1 6PN. (Telephone 0117 372 6372).

There are three different methods of appeal that you may choose from:-

• Written representations – where the appeal is dealt with on the basis of an exchange of written statements between the applicant (or agent) and the Council, and a site visit by an Inspector.
• Local hearing – where the applicant (or agent) submits the case to an appointed inspector, and members of the public may speak at the discretion of the inspector.  It is conducted in fairly informal surroundings and manner
• Inquiry – where (generally) an agent will present your case to an appointed inspector in a far more formal manner and members of the public may speak. The proceedings are similar to those in a court of law and witnesses may be cross examined.

In all cases, the Secretary of State’s Inspector will issue the final decision based on the planning merits of the case.

Useful websites:-

Planning Inspectorate

National Planning Portal