New planning appeals process comes into force

As of 1 April, most planning applications made to local planning authorities will follow a new, simpler route if they are appealed and decided via written representations.

The changes have been made to keep decisions local and provide a quicker route for appeals. 

The changes were made in regulations laid by government in February 2026.

Now, the majority of written representation appeals will accept only the evidence put before the local planning authority during application. It is hoped this will speed up appeals but will also encourage a full body of evidence to be provided at application stage, giving local planning authorities the information they need to make decisions.

During the appeal process, appellants will be able to indicate which procedure they consider most appropriate, along with their reasoning.