If your planning application has been refused, the decision notice will set out the reasons why. The decision notice will also tell you how you can appeal against the refusal.
It’s usually a good idea to talk to us before you make an appeal as there may be changes you can make to the proposal to make it acceptable. Find out how to get pre-application advice.
Your right to appeal
If you’ve submitted a planning application, you have the right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if:
- a decision regarding your planning application has not been reached within the statutory period for a decision (usually either eight or 13 weeks from the date the application is registered)
- the application has been refused
- you disagree with any of the conditions attached to the approval of planning permission
Appeals may only be made by or on behalf of the person who made the application. There is no third party right of appeal. This means that objectors or other people affected by a planning application cannot make an appeal if they are unhappy about the decision.
How to appeal
You must submit your appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Planning Inspectorate – GOV.UK
Details on how to appeal are provided in the decision notice or on appeal a planning decision – GOV.UK.
You can search for an existing appeal – Planning Portal.
If you send your appeal to us, we will not forward it on to the Planning Inspectorate. You must appeal directly to them.
Time limits for appealing
You must appeal within a specific timeframe of the decision date. This will depend on the application or development type:
- an appeal to a householder application or minor commercial application – within 12 weeks
- an appeal to an advertisement application – within eight weeks
- appeals to all other application types or development types – within six months
Different timescales apply when the development is also subject to a planning enforcement notice.
If an enforcement notice has been served before your planning application has been determined, the time limit to appeal is 28 days from the date of the planning decision.
If an enforcement notice is served after your planning application has been determined, the time limit to appeal is 28 days from the date the enforcement notice is served upon you or within six months (12 weeks in the case of a householder appeal) of the date of the planning decision, whichever period expires sooner.
You may also appeal where your application has not been decided within the statutory time frame. Usually eight, 13 or 16 weeks depending on the development type, unless an extension of time has been agreed.