If you are dissatisfied with the results of a planning decision, you can apply for an appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Appeals can be made against a number of decisions, including:
- planning permission refusals
- conditions applied against an approval
- enforcement notices against a breach of planning
- listed building consents and refusals
- tree preservation orders
Appeals must be made by the original applicant and can be submitted online via the GOV.UK website.
Stages and timelines
Appeals happen in four stages:
- Receipt to validation
- Validation to start
- Start to event
- Event to decision
To find out the timeframes for your appeal process, please follow the GOV.UK online guidance.
Receipt to validation
An appeal is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. Once it is received, certain checks are made to ensure it is valid, and you will be contacted once it has been validated. Provided all the documentation is submitted with the initial appeal, this stage will take 1-2 weeks.
Validation to start
Once validated, a suitable Inspector is appointed to decide the appeal. This time frame varies according to type of appeal and procedure.
Start to event
Once we have identified a suitable Inspector, you will be notified of the timetable for the appeal, including any submission deadlines for representations and supporting documents. The Inspector will also hold a site visit, hearing or inquiry.
Event to decision
The Inspector will then make a final decision regarding your appeal, based on the evidence submitted. You will be notified of the decision.