Our main work is the processing of planning and enforcement appeals and holding inquiries into local development plans and Local Development Frameworks. We also deal with a wide variety of other planning related casework including listed building consent appeals, advertisement appeals, and reporting on planning applications called in for decision by the Department for Communities and Local Government, or, in Wales, The Welsh Assembly Government, various compulsory purchase orders, rights of way cases and cases arising from the Environmental Protection and Water Acts and the Transport and Works Act and other Highways Legislation. In addition we process applications for awards of costs which may arise from any of these.

View an overall list of the case types that are referred to the Inspectorate

The procedures for the various types of casework are described in individual leaflets, which we produce. However, the basic principle is that all parties should be allowed a fair chance to put forward their point of view whether in writing, or at a public hearing. Where a particular site is involved, it will normally be visited by the Inspector appointed to deal with the case, or by another officer of the Agency (depending on the type of case). All evidence presented will be considered before a decision is made, which will also take published government policy into account. In most cases the decision is taken by the Inspector; in others the Inspector will prepare a report and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.