How long does it take - Timetable for appeals

There are important time limits to keep when you send The Planning Inspectorate comments on your appeal. They apply to the LPA as well. When The Planning Inspectorate have accepted your appeal they will write to you confirming which procedure it will follow. Their letter will also tell you the 'starting date'. This is an important date because it starts the timetable for them receiving comments from you and the LPA. Their letter tells you the time limits. If The Planning Inspectorate receive comments after any of the time limits, they will not normally take them into account and they will send them back.

The following timetable and stages apply to all appeals, whatever procedure is used.

• Within two weeks of the starting date, the LPA will send you and The Planning Inspectorate a questionnaire which they have filled in. They will also tell interested people about the appeal by the same date.
  
• Within six weeks of the starting date, you and the LPA should send a statement of your case to The Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate will send you and the LPA a copy of what the other has sent and any comments from interested people (if they have received them in time).
  
• Within nine weeks of the starting date, you and the LPA should send The Planning Inspectorate any comments on each other's statement and comments from interested people.
  

Some other stages apply if your appeal is being dealt with at a hearing or inquiry.

In Wales,some of the rules for enforcement appeals are different. Please refer to the Planning Inspectorate's guide  'Making your enforcement appeal (Wales)'