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 on the nature and complexity of the proposal. We estimate that:

appeals with start dates in May 2008 will be offered a date in October 2008.
appeals with start dates in June 2008 will be offered a date in November 2008.

NB Please note that these estimates are based upon the assumption that Inspector availability for site visits remains at the current level. You should bear in mind that many individual appeals will receive dates considerably earlier than these estimates, whereas a small number may receive later dates.

In July 2008 ,54 % 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 July 2008 was 18 weeks.

Planning appeals decided by the hearing method

In July 2008 , 83 % 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 July 2008 was 31 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 July 2008 we opened 96 % of hearings within the 20 week target and issued 95% 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 May 2008 will be offered a date in October/November/December 2008
appeals with a start date of June 2008 will be offered a date in December 2008/January 2009

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 July 2008 , we opened 73% of inquiries and issued 96 % 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 May 2008 will be offered a date in October/November 2008
appeals with a start date of June 2008 will be offered a date in December 2008/January 2009

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 14 August 2008.