Proposals to speed up planning appeal procedures which include the introduction of an expedited ‘commercial appeals service’ have been unveiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
DCLG said the aim of the changes, now out for consultation, was to ‘speed up the process, make it more transparent and provide greater consistency and certainty over timescales’.
According to the document, ‘Technical review of planning appeal procedures’, the new regime would mean:
1. earlier submission and notification of appeal statements – ‘so interested parties see information earlier and can comment’
2. agreement on ‘common ground’ up front – ‘so councils and appellants narrow the issues of dispute more openly and clearly’
3. starting hearings and inquiries Proposals to speed up planning appeal procedures which include the introduction of an expedited ‘commercial appeals service’ have been unveiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).to quicker decisions, within agreed boundaries set for the Planning Inspectorate’
4. the introduction an expedited ‘commercial appeals service’ – ‘so some appeals on minor commercial developments follow a shorter process with a minimum of documentation’
5. exploring opportunities for aligning other planning-related appeal processes – ‘so that the number of Statutory Instruments is reduced’
6. issuing one guide to planning appeal procedures – ‘as part of the drive to reduce planning guidance to a minimum’.
At the same time the Planning Inspectorate is taking steps to improve its online appeal process to speed up access to information, and may consider reviewing the appeal procedure determination criteria as well as its bespoke timetable service.
Councils and interested parties have until 13 December to respond.
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