If your application for planning permission has been rejected we would encourage you to try to negotiate an amended scheme rather than submit an appeal. Our records show that, on average, only about one appeal in three is successful. This rate has remained broadly constant over many years. If you do decide to appeal, you should allow enough time to ensure that everything is submitted to us before the deadline. Where an appeal is the only way to proceed, we suggest that, wherever possible, you opt for the written representations method of determination. See: A Guide to choosing the Appeal Procedure - Indicative Criteria.

Planning appeals decided by the written representations method

The timescale will depend upon the nature and complexity of the proposal. We estimate that:

appeals with a start date of December 2007/January 2008 will be offered a date in April 2008
appeals with a start date of February 2008 will be offered a date in May 2008
appeals with a start date of March 2008 will be offered a date in June 2008

In February 2008, 62% of the planning appeals which were dealt with by the written representations method were decided within our target of 16 weeks. The average time we took to deal with appeals decided by this method in February was 18 weeks.

Planning appeals decided by the hearing method

In February 2008, 22% of the planning appeals which were dealt with by the hearing method were decided within our target of 30 weeks. The average time we took to deal with appeals decided by this method in February was 39 weeks.

Proposals for 10 or more dwellings

We have a target to open all hearings for 10 or more dwellings within 20 weeks of the official start date of the case and, in 80% of the cases, to issue a decision within 10 weeks of the close of the hearing. In February 2008 we opened 75% of hearings within the 20 week target and issued 100% of decisions within the 10 week target.

Proposals for 9 or fewer dwellings and other development proposals

The timescale will depend on the nature and complexity of the proposal. We estimate that :

appeals with a start date of January 2008 will be offered a date in June/July 2008
appeals with a start date of February 2008 will be offered a date in July/August 2008
appeals with a start date of March 2008 will be offered a date in August/September 2008
appeals with a start date of April 2008 will be offered a date in September/October 2008

Planning appeals decided by the inquiry method

Proposals for 10 or more dwellings

We have a target to open all inquiries for 10 or more dwellings within 20 weeks of the official start date of the case and, in 80% of the cases, to issue a decision within 10 weeks of the close of the inquiry. In February 2008, we opened 81% of inquiries and issued 100% of decisions within target.

Proposals for 9 or fewer dwellings and other development proposals

The timescale will depend on the nature and complexity of the proposal. We estimate that :

appeals with a start date of January 2008 will be offered a date in June/July 2008
appeals with a start date of February 2008 will be offered a date in July/August 2008
appeals with a start date of March 2008 will be offered a date in August/September 2008
appeals with a start date of April 2008 will be offered a date in September/October 2008

You will receive a decision within about 6 weeks of the close of the inquiry.

Secretary of State cases (including called in and recovered appeals and Compulsory Purchase Orders)

We aim to open the inquiry within 22 weeks of the official start date of the case.

This information was last updated on 31 March 2008.