Planning Inspectorate Newsletter - Issue 8
Fast Track Householder Appeals Pilot 
A whole new way of working which builds on and brings together good practice from local planning authorities (LPAs), allowing the government’s transformation agenda to be realised is at the forefront of the Planning Inspectorate’s new Fast Track approach to Householder planning appeals.
The revised process includes major changes for the Inspectorate, LPAs and for Appellants.
In responding to the government’s demands as set out in the recent Planning White Paper for a quicker more streamlined approach, this new pilot process will decide Householder appeals in 12 weeks, which is approximately 8 weeks quicker than at present.
The benefits are immense for all stakeholders:
- For appellants, the process is simpler to understand, requires less form filling and relies mainly on documentation already sent to the LPA. There are therefore reductions in the time taken to submit the appeal and ultimately in receiving the decision.
- For the Inspectorate there is less time taken in chasing up missing documents, putting the appeal file together, and generally administering the process.
- For LPAs, time and cost savings are achieved by not having to provide a formal appeal statement, by using existing electronic files, filling in simpler forms and by removing the need to send their limited stretched planning resources to attend the appeal site visit.
At the heart of the process is the ability to use the original application file held by the LPA in an electronic format for administering the appeal. This is proper joined up government, by utilising to the full, advances many LPAs have made in meeting the government's e-government agenda. The LPA will rely purely on their decision notice to defend the appeal together with any internal reports. This in itself encourages good, open and accountable decision making at the local level. Confidence in the original decision will mean LPAs do not need to provide a formal appeal statement. They will also not need to attend the site visit.
The appellant will send in an appeal statement with their appeal forms.
Planning Inspectors will work entirely electronically, based on the electronic file provided by the LPA. The Inspector will visit the site alone, with the appellant present in some cases only to provide access to the site.
This is an excellent example of joined up government which allows electronic delivery of service to drive true efficiencies for both the customer, the Inspectorate and LPAs.
The net result is not only improved performance all round, but the ability for the Inspectorate and LPAs to use their scarce resources in a more productive manner. Most importantly, the customer, who may only use this service once, receives a more proportionate, customer focused service.
Whilst the pilot is only voluntary, buy-in has been secured from 9 LPAs eager to seal true efficiency gains. As the pilot develops it is anticipated that up to around 20 LPAs will be signed up to take part.
More information about the pilot and its background can be found on the Inspectorate’ website.
Sean Canavan
Special Projects Officer
