Issue - meetings

To advise Members of changes to Procedures for dealing with Planning Appeals, which introduce a ‘fast-track’ process for appeals against refusal of householder applications.

The Officer presented the report to advise Members of the changes to Procedures for dealing with Planning Appeals, which introduced a ‘fast-track’ process for appeals against refusal of householder applications.

The report detailed the changes in the way appeals against refusal of planning permission would be dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate as from 6 April 2009.   It had implications for the handling of applications and appeals by Local Authorities and for the involvement of local residents objecting to appeals.  The changes were intended to provide a speedier process for the handling of householder appeals. 

The new arrangements would enable the Planning Inspectorate to determine the method of appeal (written representation, hearing or public inquiry); householder appeals would have to be submitted by the applicant within 12 weeks rather than 6 months.  There would be no ‘second-stage’ opportunity for Council’s or local residents to make further representations on householder appeals as presently existed.  It was also proposed that the Planning Inspectors would undertake site visits unaccompanied.  Further that any award of costs would be introduced in during the written representations process.

The Committee was asked to note the significant changes in the appeals procedure mainly affecting householder applications.

RESOLVED

That the changes in the procedure be noted.