Important Changes to the Appeal Service
What Is Changing?
A series of changes to the planning appeals process took effect on 6th April 2009.
These include changes applicable to all appeals, (relating to applications registered on or after 6th April 2009) such as: -
- New powers for the Planning Inspectorate to determine the appeal procedure for all cases.
- An extension of the costs regime to include written representations appeals.
- Removal of the 9-week written comment stage for appeals being heard by way of Hearing or Inquiry.
- A new requirement to submit Statements of Common Ground 6 weeks after the appeal start date.
Fast-Track Householder Appeals Service
This is a new expedited procedure for written representations householder appeals designed to give a decision within 8 weeks. No statements will be submitted by either party - the appeal will be determined on the basis of the application plans, documentation, and correspondence (including third party representations), the officer report and decision notice. Third parties will have no right to submit further representations, and there will be no accompanied site visits. Householder appeals will need to be lodged within a new deadline of 12 weeks, instead of the current 6 months.
These changes will require new/revised documentation which will be prepared shortly. Further details can be found on the web pages of the Planning Portal and the Planning Inspectorate.