The High Court

An appeal decision can only be challenged on legal grounds in the High Court.

To be successful, you would have to show that:

• the Inspector, or the Secretary of State, had gone beyond their powers; or
  
• The Planning Inspectorate didn’t follow the proper procedures and so damaged your interests.
  

If your challenge is successful, the High Court will overturn the original appeal decision and return the case to The Planning Inspectorate, and they will look at it again. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the original decision will be reversed. They may come to the same decision, but for different reasons.

If you decide to challenge the appeal decision, you must apply to the High Court within six weeks of the date of the appeal decision. When The Planning Inspectorate send you the appeal decision, they will send you a leaflet explaining your right to challenge it.