Could faster appeal decisions unintentionally slow the submission and determination of planning applications?
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
From 1 April 2026, changes introduced under the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) (Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026 and new guidance from the Planning Inspectorate will see around 95% of planning appeals determined under an expanded expedited written representations procedure.
The Government says this will create a “faster, more efficient planning appeals process” and encourage applicants to “submit once, submit right”, with no new evidence allowed at appeal stage.
But as Chrisa Tsompani questions in her article: “Is there a danger that the speeding up of appeal decisions will result in a series of unintended consequences which will simply add further delays to other aspects of the planning system?”
While the reforms aim to enhance predictability and accelerate housing delivery, Chrisa highlights that applicants may need more time upfront to prepare a “complete case”, and LPAs may take longer to ensure reports and decision notices are sufficiently robust.
The acceleration of appeals is a positive step but whether it will also streamline planning applications remains uncertain.
Chrisa is a planning and environmental law specialist with over 16 years’ experience. She is highly experienced in complex planning and environmental issues, having advised on planning and highway agreements, Biodiversity Net Gain, development control, enforcement, planning policy, s106 and s111 agreements as well as compulsory purchase orders to name a few.