The Planning Inspectorate has today published new procedural guidance to support the improvements to the appeal process to be introduced from next Monday.

http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/21st_century/index.html

Entitled “Appeal Process – proportionate, customer focused and efficient”, the guidance sets out the regulatory and policy framework for the 21st century appeals system and explains how the system will be operated by the Planning Inspectorate. It has been formally endorsed by Baroness Andrews and will be taken fully into account by the Secretary of State and Inspectors when dealing with appeals.
Key measures covered by the guidance include:

the process by which the Planning Inspectorate will determine the procedure;
how the new household appeals service will work;
the process for standard written representations;
the process for hearings including fixing the date for the hearing;
the inquiry process including fixing the date of the inquiry and the bespoke timetabling process for longer inquiries;
the purpose of, and deadlines for submitting, Statements of Common Ground;
the approach to timetables and handling appeal material;
the approach to handling amendments to schemes and new material;
the approach to correcting errors and dealing with complaints and challenges.

Particular attention is drawn to the section which describes the new expedited householder appeals service which is designed to give a decision within 8 weeks of the appeal.

Planning Minister Baroness Andrews said:

"We are improving the planning appeals service to make it more proportionate, customer focused and efficient, while maintaining the principles of fairness, openness and impartiality. This guidance has an important role to play in setting out how these changes will be implemented, and I believe both local authorities and developers will welcome the clarity it provides."

In addition, Communities and Local Government will be publishing circular 03/09 ‘Costs Awards in appeals and other planning proceedings’ shortly. The circular has been revised to take account of the extension of the costs regime to cases dealt with by written representations:

New Planning procedural guidance

New Enforcement procedural guidance