If you think the councils decision is unreasonable, you can appeal to the Secretary of State.  Appeals must be made within six months of the decision date given by the local authority.  You can can also appeal if the council does not issue a decision within the statutory  eight weeks which is given for householder and various minor applications.  Two free booklet 'Making your planning appeal' and 'Guide to taking part in planning appeals'  are available from the Planning Inspectorate, Customer Support Unit, Room 3/15 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. 

The Planning Inspectorate are an independant body of the planning system, they will appoint an inspector to adjudicate whether the appelllant has a valid planning reason for appeal, and likewise they will determine whether the Local Planning Authority concerned refused the application on valid planning consideration.

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

Submit an appeal

The Planning Inspectorate offer the facility to submit an appeal on line, this service is offered through 'Planning Portal'.  Alternatively contact Planning Services or the Planning Inspectorate for further details.

Viewing Planning Appeals

You can view all appeals determined this year and those in progress which have been lodged with the planning inspectorate and notified to the Borough Council.  The list is updated weekly.  It contains planning applications and planning enforcement appeals and includes a yearly summary of all appeals, which were allowed or dismissed.  This information is also available to view in the minutes of the development services committee each month. Click here to view the committee minutes database

Online Appeal Search