When permission is refused

What can I do if planning permission is refused or conditions are imposed on the permission or if the council do not issue a decision?

If the council refuses permission or imposes conditions, it must give reasons. If you are unhappy or doubtful about the reasons for refusal or the conditions imposed, talk to your planning department directly. Ask them if changing your plans might make a difference. If your application has been refused, they might allow you to submit another application with modified plans free of charge within 12 months of the original decision.

Alternatively, you might want to consider appealing to The Planning Inspectorate.

Appeals

If you feel that the decision of the council is unreasonable, you can appeal to The Planning Inspectorate. Appeals have to be made within six months of the date of the council's notice of decision. You are also permitted to appeal if the council does not issue a decision within eight weeks. A free booklet entitled 'Planning Appeals - A Guide' is available from the Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN or Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

Appeals are intended to be a last resort for the applicant and they take several months to decide. It is frequently quicker to have discussions with the council as to whether changes to your proposal would make it more acceptable.