What is the appeal process?

An applicant has the right to appeal against the Council's decision to refuse an application or to approve an application subject to conditions. The appeal has to be made to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (ODPM) within three months of the decision.

The Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the ODPM deals with nearly all appeals. Only major developments are finally determined by the ODPM and even these will have a recommendation from a Planning Inspector. Appeals are dealt with in one of three ways:

• Written representations - the applicant and the Council each submit a written statement of their case. The great majority of appeals are dealt with in this way.
• Informal Hearing - the applicant and the Council meet informally with a Planning Inspector to discuss the appeal.
• Public Inquiry - a more formal process similar in operation to a court of law where the applicant and the Council can be cross examined and call witnesses.

Those who were either initially consulted on the planning application and/or wrote in with their representations will be told in writing by the Council that an appeal has been lodged. They can write to the Planning Inspector with their views on the appeal. The Inspector will visit the site and in due course, depending on the method chosen, a decision will be made on the appeal and all parties notified.

Further information on the appeal process, forms, leaflets and online appeals search can be found on the Planning Inspectorate's website via the external link below
www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/index.htm