Planning appeals

How do I appeal against a planning decision?

After your application has been processed and you have received a decision notice, you have the right of appeal against a refusal or against conditions attached to the approval. Information on how to appeal a decision is included on the decision notice. There is no third party right of appeal.

Please view our advice note My application was refused - what should I do next?

You have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The time period to do this will vary depending on the application type or development type. An appeal must be made within the following time periods of the decision date:

(1) An appeal to an advertisement application must be made within eight weeks.

(2) An appeal to a householder development* must be made within 12 weeks (see below for definition of a householder)

(3) Appeals to all other application types or development types must be made within six months.

Please note that different timescales apply when the development is also subject to an enforcement notice:

• If an enforcement notice has been served before your planning application has been determined, the time limit to appeal is 28 days from the date of the notice giving our decision.
• If an enforcement notice is served after your planning application has been determined, the time limit to appeal is 28 days from the date the enforcement notice is served upon you or within six months (12 weeks in the case of a householder appeal) of the date of the notice giving our decision, whichever period expires sooner.

You may also appeal where your application hasn't been decided within a set period, usually 8/13 or 16 weeks depending on the development type.

A new internet-based service is now available that you can use to submit your appeal. You can submit an appeal online at the Planning Portal. You can also view evidence, submit comments and check the progress of an appeal online.

An independent planning inspector whose decision is final will consider the appeal. Once the inspector has made a decision on the case, you no longer have a right of appeal unless you appeal to the High Court on a point of law.

The appeals process can be lengthy and expensive and you should contact the planning officer who originally dealt with your application before appealing.  If you can agree on a modified application with the planning officer, it may stand a better chance of getting planning permission the second time round.

Planning decisions and applications where an appeal has been made can be viewed at the online planning register or in person at the Tower Hamlets planning offices.

To make an appointment with a planning officer for advice or any further information, please contact the Tower Hamlets planning service using the contact details below.

For further information contact:

POSTAL ADDRESS:

Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY

Tel: 020 7364 5009
Fax: 020 7364 5415
Email:planningandbuilding@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday - except public holidays.
Public Transport: Buses 277, D6,15,115
Tube/DLR: East India Dock or Blackwall Stations

Location map for Planning Office (pdf,1.29mb)

* For the purpose of an appeal, a householder development is a development in the boundary of, or to an existing dwellinghouse for purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse, that does not involve change of use or a change to the number of dwellings. Please note, this does not include development in the boundary of, or to an existing flat or maisonette.