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Modified: 22-Feb-2010

Press Releases and Notices

Good Practice Advice Note 16/2010: Submitting Planning Obligations

22 February 2010

The Planning Inspectorate has written Good Practice Advice Note 16/2010: Submitting Planning Obligations which gives guidance to those submitting planning obligations in connection with planning appeals and with planning applications called in for determination by the Secretary of State.  Further details >>

Customer Service Opening Times during the Christmas period

For details of how to contact us and information on frequently asked questions please see our Customer Services page

Wanting to broaden your experience in planning? Looking for a new challenge?

16 October 2009

This is your chance to be at the cutting edge of the new planning system working for the biggest employer of professional planners in the country.
Job Vacancy - Planning Officer - Vacancy now closed

Rights of Way

02 October 2009

Appendix 2 of Advice Note 9 has been amended to include a definition of a 'Local Authority' for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Centenary Essay Writing Competition

01 October 2009

The Inspectorate is currently celebrating its centenary and is looking forward to another 100 years of positive planning.  Part of looking forward is seeking the views/thoughts/opinions of those who will be responsible for moving the planning system forward into the next 100 years. What is the competition? - Now Closed

Rights of Way

22 September 2009

Public Advice Notes 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 16 and 20 have been updated

Local Development Frameworks - New 'Learning from Experience' Publications

08 September 2009

The Examining Development Plan Documents: Learning from Experience PDF (2MB) document and the Key Points: Learning from Experience Leaflet PDF (358KB) seek to follow on from the Lessons Learnt Examining Development Plan Documents document.

Software Development Opportunities (Bristol)

26 August 2009

HEO Software Development Team Leader Ref: EB-08-09 Starting Salary £27,928 (range to £31,310) and EO Software Developer Ref: EB-09-09 Starting salary £22,598 (range to £24,724) - Vacancy Closed

North West Gypsies & Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation and Parking Standards - Examination in Public

18 August 2009

New website has gone live.

Planning Inspectorate Statistics

06 August 2009

Statistical Report 2008-2009: England has been published.

Planning Policy Statement 3 and Five Year Housing Land Supply

05 August 2009

Advice from CLG on the 5 year housing land supply required under PPS3 is given in this letter of 20 May 2009 47kb from Richard McCarthy, CLG Director General Housing and Planning, to Councillor Steve Jordan, Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council.

ISO/IEC 27001 Security Standard

05 August 2009

The Planning Inspectorate's Information Services branch is certified to the information security standard ISO/IEC 27001.

Job Vacancy

28 July 2009

Job Vacancy - Head of Management Information and Analysis based in Bristol - Vacancy Closed

Planning Inspectorate Annual Report 09

Press release:

I am delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has made real improvement this year particularly in relation to our performance targets.  Over the last 12 months we have also made excellent progress in readiness for our 21st Century Appeals service following the 2008 Planning Act, including our new faster approach to Householder Appeals.  I am also particularly pleased that steady progress is now being made with regard to the number of DPDs being submitted.

Over the next year we need to build on this work to ensure that we further help deliver the Government’s reform of the planning system, making the appeals system proportionate, customer focused and efficient. 

View the Annual Report 4.31mb

Higher Planning Officer Vacancy

Wanting to broaden your experience in planning? Looking for a new challenge?
Higher Planning Officer Vacancy in our Welsh Office - Vacancy Closed

Rights of Way

24 June 2009

A new Rights of Way Advice Note (21) has been created in relation to Procedural Irregularities 47KB.

Rights of Way Announcement

03 June 2009

What we copy in relation to Statements of Case, Proofs of Evidence and Supporting Documents

Panel Secretary and Panel Assistant Vacancy

21 May 2009

Panel Secretary & Panel Assistant vacancy for Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London - Vacancy Closed

Panel Secretary Job Vacancy

19 May 2009

North West Plan: Partial Revision (Regional Spatial Strategy) (Gypsies and travellers, travelling showpeople and parking standards) - Vacancy Closed

Rights of Way Announcement

05 May 09

Since 3 November 2008, we have been running a pilot scheme where we have been publishing all statements of case, proofs of evidence and supporting documents on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. Regrettably, we have made the difficult decision to terminate the pilot, this is set out in full in this letter 40kb.

Please note that as of 4 May 2009, we will only be publishing the following documents;

Notice of Order
Site notice
Notice of proposal to modify an Order
Inspectors decision(s). 

Conditions and Obligations

21 April 09

Guidance for Inspectors on planning conditions and obligations (first published in Planning Inspectorate Newsletter Issue 9)

Planning Inspectorate publishes guidance to improve appeals process

03 April 09

Press release

Opportunities in Bristol - 2 Senior Human Resources Manager Positions

25 March 09

HR Manager - Operations - Ref: EB-02-09
HR Manager - Employee Relations, Communications, Health Safety and wellbeing - Ref: EB-03-09 - Vacancy Closed

Opportunities in Bristol - EO Finance

23 March 09

Job Vacancy in Bristol - EO Finance - Vacancy Closed

Rights of Way Consistency Guidelines

16 March 2009

Section 4 of the Consistency guidlines have been updated.

21st Century Appeals Service

04 March 2009

The beginnings of a guide to the changes introduced by the Planning Act 2008.

The Planning Inspectorate wins Commitment to Lifelong Learning Award

13 February 2009

We are delighted to have won the award for Employer Commitment to Lifelong Learning at the 2008 Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning Awards.  The ceremony was held in London on 5th February 2009.

Rights of Way

11 February 2009

We have amended Section 11 of the Consistency Guidelines as follows;

East of England Regional Spatial Strategy Panel Secretary vacancy

05 February 2009

The Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of Communities and Local Government, is seeking a Panel Secretary to assist in the Examination in Public (EIP) of the East of England Plan: Thurrock/Lakeside Basin Single Issue Review. Vacancy Now closed

Rights of Way update to the checklist for Order Making Authorities

03 February 2009

Please note that there is now a health and safety questionnaire appended to the Order Making Authority's checklist for submitting Orders to The Planning Inspectorate. OMAs will now be required to provide detailed information about any potential risks there may be at the site. 

Rights of Way Guidance Booklet

30 January 2009

Please note that as of Monday 2 February 2009, our Quality Assurance Unit will now be dealing with all complaints. We have made an amendment to section 9 of our booklet. As it is only a slight amendment, we have not given the booklet a new revision number. 

How to complete your appeal form

26 January 2009

The Planning Inspectorate has produced some new guides in order to help you complete your appeal form, guides have been produced for planning appeals, enforcement appeals, Lawful Development Appeals, Listed Building or Conservation area consent and listed building or Conservation area enforcement appeals.

Statistics - Appeals decided and outcome

23 January 2009

The 3rd quarter (1 October to 31 December 2008) statistics for appeals decided and decision outcome for each Local Planning Authority has now been published.

Rights of Way - Publication of Costs Decisions

21 January 2009

From 2 February 2009 all Rights of Way Costs Decisions will be published on the Inspectorate's website, where we currently publish the start date notices and decisions.

Opportunities in Bristol

14 January 2009

Administrative Officer Posts - Vacancy Closed

Advice for Inspectors - Protected Species Consultations: Natural England's Changed Approach

13 January 2009

Protected Species Consultations: Natural England's Changed Approach

Planning Inspectorate Newsletter Issue 11

05 January 2009

Issue 11 of the Newsletter has been issued.

Hazardous Substances - Guide for Appellants - Updated

09 December 2008

This has been revised to reflect that these types of appeals can now be transferred decisions rather than reports to the Secretary of State. The legislation enabling this is SI 2008 No. 595 The Town and Country Planning (Determination of Appeals by Appointed Persons) (Prescribed Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2008. The revised guidance can be found by following the link below:

Hazardous Substance - Guide for Appellants

Development Plan Documents Guidance

28 November 2008

The Examining Development Plan Documents: Procedure Guidance (PDF 632KB) deals with the procedural aspects of dealing with the examination of development plan documents (DPDs) after submission and is aimed at all those involved in the process of examining a DPD.

Rights of Way - Publication Of Statements Of Case, Proofs Of Evidence And Supporting Documents

07 November 2008

Since the introduction of the Hearings and Inquiries Procedure Rules in October 2007 we have received a lot of feedback concerning the accessibility of statements of case, proofs of evidence and supporting documents. To address this we are going to run a pilot scheme for six months where we will be publishing all statements of case, proofs of evidence and supporting documents on the Inspectorate’s website, where we currently publish the start notices and decisions.

Download the "Publication Of Statements Of Case, Proofs Of Evidence And Supporting Documents" letter in PDF 41KB

Health and Safety Policy

04 November 2008

The Planning Inspectorate's General Statement of Intent for Health and Safety is available.

Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area

31 October 2008

Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area has been updated.

New Verification Tables

29 October 2008

Appeals Decided and Outcome 1 July 2008 to 30 September 2008

Model Conditions

16 October 2008

Planning Inspectorate publishes additional model conditions

Improvement to Development Plan Document Information

14 October 2008

The link within the Local Development Frameworks section that lists Development Plan Documents submitted has been improved to include links to the appropriate part of the Local Planning Authority website. It also now shows whether concluded submissions were found sound / unsound or withdrawn.

Administrative Assistant Posts

02 October 2008

During the next few months there are likely to be permanent and fixed term vacancies arising for Administrative Assistants in the Planning Inspectorate. In anticipation of this, we are conducting a recruitment exercise now so that we have successful candidates who will be available for appointments as they arise.

Planning Inspectorate Newsletter Issue 10

22 September 2008

Issue 10 of the Newsletter has been issued.

Tree Preservation Appeals

A new fast track appeals process for tree preservation order appeals and tree replacement notice appeals is in force as from 1st October 2008.

Planning Inspectorate looking for Non Salaried Inspectors

09 September 2008

The Planning Inspectorate is advertising for new non-salaried Inspectors to register with them from January 2009 - Registration closed

Planning Inspectorate Appoints new Director of Casework

14 August 2008

Mark Southgate has been appointed as the new Director of Casework at the Planning Inspectorate.

Statistical Report 2007-2008: England

06 August 2008

The Statistical Report 2007-2008: England has been produced and placed on the website.

Administrative Officer in Finance team (Part time)

06 August 2008

Job Vacancy - Administrative Officer in Finance team (Part time) - Vacancy closed

Advertisement Appeal

01 August 2008

From the 1st August all new advert appeals will be processed via the Planning Casework Service, from the 1st August advert appeals can be submitted via the Planning Portal.

Inquiry Manager/Lead Programme Officer and Assistant to the Inquiry Manager - Vacancies

25 July 2008

Vacancies Inquiry Manager/Lead Programme Officer and Assistant to the Inquiry Manager - Stansted G2 Inquiry Vacancy Closed

Stansted G2 Inquiry - Website launched

21 July 2008

Stansted G2 Inquiry website

Planning Inspectorate Annual Report & Accounts 2007/8

Annual Report and Accounts 2007 - 2008 6.27MB

Advice for Planning Inspectors

10 July 2008

PPS3 and Affordable Housing Thresholds

HEO Information Manager (HEO post now closed) and EO Infrastructure Support – Network Administrator Job Vacancies

10 July 2008

Vacancy - HEO Information Manager  and EO Infrastructure Support – Network Administrator - Vacancy closed

Market Analysis for future Potential Inspectors

03 July 2008

Please complete the questionnaire - Now Closed

Vacancy - Assistant Director, Human Resources

26 June 2008

Vacancy - Assistant Director, Human Resources - Vacancy Closed

Right of Way Consistency Guidelines

23 June 2008

Section 11 'Finance Act 1910' of the Rights of Way Consistency Guidelines has been updated.

The Planning Inspectorate Newsletter Issue 9

19 June 2008

Issue 9 of the Newsletter has been issued.

Planning Decision Performance Improves in 07-08

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) hit 25 per cent more of its key performance targets in 2007-08. Read about the improved performance in 07-08

15 May 2005

Vacancy - Non Executive Director (NED)

24 April 2008

The closing date for this vacancy has passed.

HEO Change, Configuration and Release Manager (CCRM)

23 April 2008

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is seeking to appoint a CCRM to take responsibility for managing and controlling changes to our live IT systems in accordance with best practice. View the HEO vacancy details - Now Closed.

Administrative Vacancies

15 April 2008

Administrative Assistant and Officer Vacancies in Cardiff office - Vacancy Closed

The Planning Inspectorate Newsletter Issue 8

05 March 2008

Issue 8 of the Newsletter has been issued.

Rights of Way Advice Note

26 February 2008

Rights of Way Advice Note 9 has been updated to take account of a number of issues that have been raised over the past year or so. These include it being updated; in line with the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, to account for creation agreements and the Tyttenhanger judgement, to update advice previously given with regard to diversions and the Bernstein judgement, with regard to disregarding temporary structures in diversion orders and the various definitions of a local authority and a council where appropriate.

Rights of Way Consistency Guide

26 February 2008

Section 4 of the Rights of Way Consistency Guidelines has been updated with regard to the status of highways described in the Definitive Map and Statement.

Rights of Way Consistency Guide

11 February 2008

Section 5 of the Rights of Way Consistency Guidelines have been updated to being them in line with the recent House of Lords 2007 Judgement into Godmanchester and Drain v SSEFRA

Venue and Facilities for Public Inquiries and Hearings

01 February 2008

The Inspectorate has issued new guidance on the Access arrangements at Inquiries and Hearings

Fast Track Householder Appeal (FTHA) Project

08 January 2008

The Planning Inspectorate’s pilot scheme to fast track householder appeals went live on 2 January 2008.

Local Development Frameworks

Procedure Guidance for Local Planning Authorities who are due to Submit Development Plan Documents

14 December 2007

The Planning Inspectorate Newsletter Issue 7

11 December 2007

Issue 7 of the Newsletter has been issued.

Director of Finance and Business Planning

07 December 2007

Director of Finance and Business Planning job vacancy - Now closed

Definitive Map and Public Orders in England - Orders received on or after 1 October 2007

06 December 2007

The booklet produced for all Rights of Way Definitive Map and Public Path Orders in England (received on or after 1 October 2007) has been further revised.

Rights of Way

21 November 2007

Rights of Way Inquiries and Hearings Procedure Rules Seminar - Lincoln on the 27th September 2007

Head of Branch – Quality Assurance Unit and Special Projects

21 November 2007

Head of Branch – Quality Assurance Unit and Special Projects job vacancy - Now Closed

Advisory Panel on Standards 13th Annual Report

12 November 07

The Advisory Panel on Standards 13th Annual Report has been published.

SQL Database Administrator

31 October 2007

£21,748 - £23,795 + Allowance based in Bristol

Would you like to help us to deliver top quality IT systems and services in a modern and progressive environment? We currently have a vacancy in our busy Information Services and Support Branch to support the delivery and continued development of the Planning Casework Service (PCS) - part of the e-Government programme and other business critical systems used by the Inspectorate. Vacancy has now closed.

Panel Secretary:  £16 to £27 per hour (depending on experience)

31 October 2007

The Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of Communities and Local Government, is seeking a Panel Secretary to assist in the Examination in Public (EIP) of the West Midlands Plan (Phase Two). Vacancy has now closed.

Panel Assistant:  £14 to £16 per hour (depending on experience)

31 October 2007

The Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of Communities and Local Government, is seeking a Panel Assistant to assist in the Examination in Public (EIP) of the West Midlands Plan (Phase Two). Vacancy has now closed.

Planning Appeals and Old Style Development Plan Policies: Saving Directions

19 October 2007

Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, unless expressly replaced by a `new’ policy, `old’ policies (adopted local plan, unitary development plan and structure plan policies) are saved for 3 years from whichever is the later of:

Under the Act, the Secretary of State has powers to make a direction to save specified policies beyond the 3 year period, and appropriate directions have now been issued on the Secretary of State’s behalf by regional Government Offices, with a covering letter. Policies saved at commencement date of the Act expired on 27 September 2007 if not listed in the direction.  

We have arranged to place details of GO saved policies directions and covering letters on our website for ease of reference by all parties. Any missing items will be added as soon as they become available.

See also our advice to Inspectors on saved policies

Rights of Way Order Making Authority Checklist

19 October 2007

The Rights of Way Order Making Authority Checklist has been further amended to take account of new procedures outlined in the new Rights of Way Hearings and Inquiries Procedure Rules.

Definitive Map and Public Orders in England - Orders received on or after 1 October 2007

19 October 2007

The booklet produced for all Rights of Way Definitive Map and Public Path Orders in England (received on or after 1 October 2007) has been revised.

Rights of Way Order Making Authority Checklist

08 October 2007

The Rights of Way Order Making Authority Checklist has been amended to take account of new procedures outlined in the new Rights of Way Hearings and Inquiries Procedure Rules.

Planning Appeals and Old Style Development Plan Policies

26 September 2007

Letter to all Chief Planning Officers dated 25th September 2007

Planning Appeals and Design and Access Statements

19 September 2007

Our letter to local planning authorities of 14 September 2007

Job Vacancy

19 September 2007

Planning Officer job vacancy. Looking for a new challenge? Career in Planning? - Vacancy has now closed.

Revised Appellants Guidance for Hazardous Substances Consent Appeals Published

19 September 2007

Revised Hazardous Substances Consent Appellants Guidance and information for Appeals under S21 of the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990

Rights of Way Definitive Map and Public Path Orders in England - Orders received on or after 1 October 2007

14 September 2007

A new booklet has been produced for all Rights of Way Definitive Map and Public Path Orders in England - Orders received on or after 1 October 2007.

Newsletter Issue 6

06 September 2007

Issue 6 of the newsletter has been published.

Administrative Assistants - EB-07-07

29 August 2007

Starting Salary is £15,123

Over the next few months we anticipate having vacancies for permanent and fixed term Administrative Assistants. The fixed term contracts will initially be for 6 months with the possibility of extension. Vacancy has now closed.

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors

30 July 2007

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors

Planning Inspectorate Annual Report & Accounts 2006/07

23 July 2007

The 2006/07 Annual Report & Accounts 4.5mb

Rights of Way (Hearings and Inquiries) Procedure Rules

23 July 2007

The Rights of Way (Hearings and Inquiries) Procedure Rules were laid in Parliament on the 17 July 2007. These Rules introduce a framework for the handling of Rights of Way Orders and will come into force on 1 October 2007. The Planning Inspectorate will publish further guidance in due course.

View Defra's website for more information

Rights of Way Advice Note

28 June 2007

Rights of Way Advice Note number 3 has been updated.

Local Development Frameworks: Lessons Learnt Examining Development Plan Documents

14 June 2007

View the full Local Development Frameworks: Lessons Learnt Examining Development Plan Documents

Wanting to broaden your experience in planning? Looking for a new challenge?

Higher Planning officer and Senior Planning Officer job vacancies.

Other Opportunities - Tomorrow's Planners Job vacancies

07 June 2007

Graduate Trainee Planners

South East Draft Plan EIP: GOSE's addendum statement and panel's response

06 June 2007

The Assessor considering Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (TBH SPA) and Natural England's (NE's) draft Delivery Plan for the South East Plan Examination in Public (EiP) published his Report in February 2007. 

Non-Executive Director Vacancies

31 May 2007

The Planning Inspectorate is seeking to recruit up to three non-executive Directors (NEDs) to join its Strategic Management Board. One of the NEDs will also chair the Inspectorate's Audit Committee. This Vacancy has now closed

Newsletter Issue 5

31 May 2007

Issue 5 of the newsletter has been published.

Appeals Consultation Paper

21 May 2007

Alongside the Planning White Paper - Planning for a Sustainable Future - which was launched today the Government published an Appeals Consultation Paper - Improving the Appeal Process in the Planning system. The Consultation Paper sets out a range of measures it proposes for an improved appeals service in England by delivering an appeals system that is more proportionate to the type and complexity of each appeal; has improved customer service and efficiency at its core; and, is better resourced.

The Planning Inspectorate welcomes these proposals and will be holding discussions with its stakeholders during the consultation period on the reasons for and implications of these proposals.

Improving the Appeal Process in the Planning System

Planning for a Sustainable Future

Customer Satisfaction Survey Report 2006

18 May 2007

Customer Satisfaction Survey Report 2006 has been published.

Administrative Assistants

1 May 2007

Starting Salary is £15,123

We shortly expect to have a number of vacancies for permanent and fixed term Administrative Assistants. Please note there are approximatley six positions available.

Audio/visual guide on making an Planning Appeal

27 April 2007

To assist appellants who are coming into contact with the appeals system for the first time we have published an audio-visual guide on making an appeal.

New link added to the Large Inquiries page

16 April 2007

For the Mottram/Tintwistle and Glossop Spur Inquiry. This is an external site published by Persona Associates.

Advice Produced by The Department for Communities and Local Government

11 April 2007

A note prepared by the Department for Communities and Local Government offering advice to Government Offices and the Planning Inspectorate in considering whether Local Planning Authorities are able to demonstrate a 5-year supply of specific sites which are deliverable in the terms of paragraph 54 of PPS3.

PPS3: Demonstrating a 5 Year Supply of Deliverable Sites

Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area

16 March 2007

Advice for Inspectors on the approach to handling housing casework either in or near the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area following the submission of the South East Examination in Public Assessors report.

Advice Note 2 - Implications for casework in PDF 78kb

Rights of Way Checklist for Order Making Authorities

14 March 2007

The Rights of Way Checklist for Order Making Authorities has been updated.

Job Vacancy

09 March 2007

IT Opportunities, Bristol - System Developer Ref: EB-02-07. This Vacancy has now closed

Royal National Institute of the Blind "See it right" accreditation - 2007

21 February 2007

The Planning Inspectorate is pleased to announce that we have successfully gained the RNIB “See it right” accreditation for our web site (www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk) and our sub sites. Further details about accessibility can be found on our Accessibility page.

Rights of Way Order Decisions

19 February 2007

From today all new Rights of Way Order Decisions will be published on a new section of the website. This is in addition to the usual hard copy distribution procedures already in operation.

Rights of Way Advice Note

13 February 2007

Rights of Way Advice Note number 16 has been updated and some additional guidance has been placed on the page.

The Planning Inspectorate Film

09 February 2007

A film about the processing of planning appeals has been unveiled by the Planning Inspectorate in Newcastle at the Local Government Association Urban Conference and Exhibition, and can be viewed on the site - Now been removed from the website.

Job Vacancy

09 February 2007

Director, Strategic Business Planning and Corporate Services, The Planning Inspectorate (SCS PAY BAND 1) Starting salary £55,000, rising to £77,000 - This vacancy has now closed.

Local Development Framework Examinations: Planning Inspectorate Fee Increase

07 February 2007

Revised fees for Local Development Framework (LDF) examinations, intended to recover from local planning authorities the cost of providing Inspectors, were introduced on 3 January 2007.

Appeal Data Verfication

25 January 2007

Planning Appeals (Section 78) and Listed Building Consent & Conservation Area Consent Appeals (Section 20) decided for the period 1 October 2006 to 31 December 2006

Vacancies - Administrative Grade

10 January 2007

Senior Operations Manager Ref: EB-01-07. This Vacancy has now closed

Archive 2006

Archive 2005

Archive 2004

 


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