Applicants whose applications are refused by the council are entitled to appeal against the decision. Appeals can also be made in situations where the council has failed to determine an application within the statutory time period; against conditions imposed on permissions granted; and against enforcement notices served by the council. The period for making an appeal against refusals of planning permission is six months from the date of the decision. The period for appealing against an enforcement notice is set out in the notice itself.
All appeals are dealt with by an independent body called The Planning Inspectorate. Their address is:
The Planning Inspectorate
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol, BS1 6PN
Tel: 0117 372 6372.
They have a very helpful web site that contains the forms on which appeals must be made, together with useful information on how appeals are dealt with:
Appeals are dealt with either by an exchange of written representations, a public hearing or a public inquiry. The Inspectorate agrees with the appellant and the council the method to be followed. The majority of cases are dealt with by the written representations method. In each case, the Inspector assigned to the appeal considers all the evidence before him/her, visits the site and prepares a written report, either dismissing the appeal or allowing it and setting out their reasoning in the report. In complex cases, the Inspectors may need to refer their report to the Secretary of State who then makes the decision.
Any member of the public can write to the Inspectorate setting out their views on any appeal that concerns them. These views will be taken into account in arriving at a decision, and where requested, the Planning Inspectorate will send copies of appeal decisions to those who have commented on the appeal.
It is not possible to appeal against a decision to grant planning permission.
A list of the appeals that the Council has been notified of since 2000 is set out on the following pages, with details of the site address, the Council’s reference number; the Planning Inspectorates reference and a description of the proposal for which the appeal is lodged.
New appeals appear on this site usually within a day of the Council receiving notification of the appeal from the Inspectorate. Details of decisions are similarly updated within a day of receipt.
