Who can appeal
Only the person who made the application can appeal. If you didn’t apply, you can comment on an appeal instead.
When you can appeal
You can appeal a planning decision if either:
- You disagree with it
- The decision took longer than 8 weeks (13 weeks for a major development, for example 10 or more dwellings or a building of more than 1,000 square metres)
Fees
There’s no fee for appealing.
Deadline for appealing
If you disagree with a decision you must appeal within 6 months of the date on the decision notice from your local planning authority.
If the decision took longer than 8 weeks, you can appeal up to 6 months after the decision was due.
Enforcement notices
If you have received an enforcement notice you muse appeal within 28 days of the notice.
When you can expect
The Planning Inspectorate will check your appeal to make sure it’s valid. They will tell you what happens next and how long your appeal may take.
Your appeal will then be considered, the average wait time for a decision is 19 weeks. However, please note that some applications may take longer due to various factors.
Advice for concerned residents
Neighbours and residents concerned about a planning decision don't have the right to directly appeal. However, there are two options to express your concerns:
- If you believe the decision was legally flawed, seek independent legal advice to explore challenging it through the courts.
- If you suspect procedural errors in the application review, you can file a complaint.
While the council's complaints procedure cannot change the planning decision, it can help ensure proper process was followed. If you wish to make a complaint please visit the Have your say section of the website.
Further Guidance
Local Government Ombudsman website
What to do if your application is refused or delayed