Planning Appeals

Where planning permission has been refused an applicant has a right to appeal to the Secretary of State for an independent decision on the development. Appeals can be a simple exchange of statements, known as a Written Representation, a Local Hearing, which is led by an Inspector or a Public Inquiry where professional witnesses provide formal evidence in a court like environment which is led by an Inspector appointed by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. 

Appeals can be a very expensive process and alongside the costs in preparing a planning application at the onset, you do need the right person for the job. Sometimes, where a planning consent has been refused by a local authority for unjustified or unreasonable grounds, it is possible to make an application for costs to recover the costs of the work involved in the appeal process.  

Here at Fairfield Associates, we can provide Written Representation Statements and prepare and present highways evidence at Local Hearings and Public Inquiries working either directly for clients or alongside planning consultants and solicitors, as part of a dedicated team.