Planning Appeals

If the Council refuses permission or imposes conditions it must give reasons. If you are unhappy or unclear about the reasons for refusal or the conditions imposed, please talk to the planning staff. Ask if changing your plans might make a difference. If your application has been refused, you may be able to submit another application with modified plans free of charge within 12 months of the decision on your first application.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider appealing to the Secretary of State. Where an application is refused, or granted subject to conditions, you may appeal to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions within six months of receipt of the decision. The time allowed for appeals varies for the following types of permission:

• 8 weeks for a decision relating to advertisement consent,
• 28 days for a decision relating to works to trees covered by a preservation order or hedgerow retention notice
• 1 month for a certificate of appropriate alternative development

You can also appeal if the Council does not issue a decision within 8 weeks. Two free booklets 'Making your planning appeal' and 'Guide to taking part in planning appeals' are available from the Planning Inspectorate, Customer Support Unit, Room 3/15 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN.

Appeals are intended as a last resort and they can take several months to decide. It is often quicker to discuss with the Council whether changes to your proposal would make it more acceptable.

Most appeals must be made on a form which is obtainable from the Planning Inspectorate, The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Room 301, Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

Tree Preservation Order appeals are dealt with by the Government Office for the South West at The Pithay, Bristol, BS1 2PB. Exceptionally, the Secretary of State may allow a longer period for giving notice of an appeal and under certain circumstances is not required to entertain an appeal.

The Planning Inspectorate web site is www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk