The Inspector will consider all the material planning considerations that are relevant to the proposal, and from all parties, including the council(s), the appellant, and from those who made comments on the application.
There is a strict process and timeframe for the processing of appeals.
The deadline for making further comments to the Inspector has now passed. You cannot send us your comments.
Comments previously made by interested parties will be taken into account by the Inspector.
The council, in its capacity as the local planning authority, has prepared a Statement of Case and Statements of Common Ground. These are available on the Planning Register.
All witnesses will prepare a Proof of Evidence upon which they base their arguments, to be submitted to the Inspector by 18 December 2026. Any further agreed or revised Statements of Common Ground will be submitted by this date.
A planning obligation (section 106 agreement) will be prepared and submitted by 12 January 2027. This ensures that, if the Inspector is minded to allow the appeal, any financial contributions to secure mitigation to schools, doctors, roads, etc., along with affordable housing, will be delivered. This, alongside proposed conditions, do not indicate that the Inspector has made up their mind.
When the inquiry opens, the Inspector will decide the order in which evidence is to be heard. A site visit will usually follow the hearing of evidence, although no evidence or opinion will be heard during the visit.
The Inspector will then normally issue their written decision in a specified timeframe, either dismissing or allowing the appeal. The decision will be published on the Inspectorate's website and a copy of the decision will be kept on the planning register.