During the last 12 months, the Planning Inspectorate has made 18,280 appeal decisions, averaging 1,523 per month. June 2024 saw 1,361 decisions, with 13,220 open cases currently.
Despite pre-election delays, decisions are now being issued, underscoring a commitment to reducing the casework backlog and ensuring timely decisions.
Appeal Handling Methods
Appeal cases are processed through written representations, hearings, or inquiries. The Inspectorate aims to shorten and standardize decision times, measuring from the receipt of a valid appeal to the final decision.
Decision Time Analysis
Median Decision Times
Type of Appeal |
June 2024 |
12-Month Average |
|---|---|---|
| Written Representations | 25 weeks | 28 weeks |
| Hearings | 25 weeks | 25 weeks |
| Inquiries | 28 weeks | 31 weeks |
| Enforcement Appeals (Written) | 46 weeks | 51 weeks |
| Enforcement Appeals (Hearing) | 80 weeks | 65 weeks |
| Enforcement Appeals (Inquiry) | 63 weeks | 72 weeks |
| All Appeals | 26 weeks | 29 weeks |
The median decision time for all cases in June was 26 weeks, a slight improvement from the 12-month average of 29 weeks. This reflects efforts to clear older cases and streamline newer ones.
National Infrastructure Projects
The number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) is increasing, with the Inspectorate meeting all statutory deadlines. Currently, there are:
- 70 projects in the pre-submission advisory stage
- 21 projects in acceptance, pre-examination, or examination stages
- 2 projects preparing recommendations
- 11 projects awaiting recommendations from the Secretary of State
Recent approvals include the Sunnica Energy Farm, Mallard Pass Solar Project, and Gate Burton Energy Park.
Local Plans
There are 47 active Local Plan examinations. The Planning Inspectorate encourages Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to use advisory visits to enhance their plans and address challenges pre-submission.
Historical Context
Recent Performance
Comparing past data, the Planning Inspectorate handled 16,928 appeal decisions in 2021, with a median decision time of 29 weeks. The number of Inspectors increased from 343 in January 2021 to 361 by December 2021.
Improvements and Trends
- Case Volume: Slight increase in appeal decisions from 2021 to 2022.
- Decision Timeliness: Improvement in decision times, especially for written representations.
- Inspector Numbers: Incremental growth in the number of employed Inspectors.
To Summarize
The Planning Inspectorate’s performance update for July 2024 highlights significant progress in decision-making times and case management. By focusing on consistency and efficiency, the Inspectorate continues to uphold high standards, ensuring that appeals are handled promptly and fairly. This commitment to improvement reflects positively on the overall planning process, providing confidence and reliability for all stakeholders involved.
Sources: THX News, PI Report & Planning Inspectorate.
