If you want to make an appeal against a planning decision then you should contact the Planning Inspectorate at the address below:

The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

Website: Planning Inspectorate

N.B. Appeals are intended as a last resort and they can take several months to decide. It is often quicker to discuss with the Council whether changes to your proposal would make it more acceptable.

General Guidance

Planning Appeals are dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate, which is part of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Applicants can appeal against the Local Planning Authority’s refusal of, Planning Permission (Full or Outline), Listed Building Consent or Conservation Area Consent.   An appeal of this type needs to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 months of the date of refusal.   An appeal can also be made against the Local Planning Authorities decision to refuse advertisement consent, but these types of appeal need to be submitted within 8 weeks of the date of refusal.

An appeal can also be made if the application has been granted with conditions that the applicant does not agree with or if the Local Planning Authority has not made a decision within a set time period (usually 8 weeks).

An appeal can also be made against an enforcement notice that has been served in respect of unauthorised development. 

Only the applicant or a person served with an enforcement notice can make an appeal and there is no right of appeal for third parties or interested organisations.   However, anyone who has made written representations on an application, will be notified if the application becomes the subject of an appeal.

Any appeal, which is made to the Planning Inspectorate, can be dealt with in one of three ways:

• Written Representations: This is the most common method and involves written submissions from the person making the appeal (appellant) and the Local Planning Authority.   Third parties can also make representations to the Planning Inspectorate.
  
• Hearing: This type of appeal involves an informal discussion of the issues, which is lead by the Planning Inspector following the submission of written submissions.  
  
• Public Inquiry: This is the most formal of the three appeal processes and is usually reserved for cases that are complex, controversial or require witnesses to be cross examined.   The start of the procedure is much the same as the written representations or hearing but there are additional requirements.   These include the submission of proofs of evidence, a statement of common ground and a requirement to publicise the inquiry.

Additional and more detailed information about making an appeal can found on the Planning Portal (UK Government website) and Planning Inspectorate websites. Please note that the Council is not responsible for the contents of these external websites.

Viewing Appeal documentation online

Some Appeals and their associated documentation can be viewed online on the Planning Portal website.