Review into planning appeals suggests inquiry timescales could be cut by up to five months

This week saw the publication of a review into the planning appeal process led by economist Bridgette Rosewell.

The review was first announced in June 2018 with the aim of reducing the time taken to determine planning appeals, whilst ensuring quality decision making is maintained.

Since then, the review has heard evidence from the Planning Inspectorate as well a variety of stakeholders involved in the appeal process. As you would expect, the consultation demonstrated that whilst there was a clear consensus that planning inquiries deliver high quality decisions and are widely valued, there is also widespread agreement that there is scope to improve the process in all areas.

The review has led to the publication of 22 recommendations which can be broadly broken down into three key areas:

Earlier engagement by all parties, including:

• Identification of the inspector at the outset of the process
• Pre-inquiry engagement between the inspector and parties involved no later than seven weeks after the start letter
• Clear case management directions from the inspector, to set out how evidence will be examined, issued within eight weeks of the start letter

 

Greater certainty about timescales, including:

• The inspector taking more of a lead on identifying a date for the inquiry
• Setting challenging targets for each stage of the appeal, as well as the overall length of the process
• Encouraging the timely submission of documents through potential sanctions for late submission

Harnessing technology to improve efficiency and transparency, including:

• A new planning appeal portal for the submission of inquiry appeals, to be up and running by December 2019 and pilot testing starting in May 2019
• All documents for an appeal to be published on the new portal as early as possible after submission
• Identification of further ways to use technology to improve the efficiency and transparency of the inquiry event

The report states that, if taken forward, the recommendations should limit inspector-led appeals to between 24-26 weeks, a significant five-month reduction from the current average of 47 weeks.

Planning Potential will continue to monitor how many of the recommendations are taken forward by MHCLG Secretary of State James Brokenshire. In the meantime, you can read the full report here.