Upcoming changes to written representation appeals
The Planning Inspectorate announced proposed changes that aim to speed up decision making on 25 June 2025.
The majority of planning appeals decided via written representations will have simplified procedures by the end of 2025. This will include:
- Appeals against refusals of planning permission or reserved matters
- Appeals against the imposition of conditions, and
- Appeals against the refusal of prior notification or prior approval
The changes mean that the Planning Inspector will decide the appeal on the same basis and information as the planning application. The main parties will not need to submit new evidence.
Appeals on applications received before the revised regulations start will continue as before.
What these changes mean
Appellants would need to submit a copy of their application, Local Authority's decision notice and a brief statement in response and why they disagree. Appellants will not need to provide full Statements of Case. This will remove duplication and reduce documentation. There will be no final comments stage.
Local Planning Authority would be represented by it's officer/Committee report and decision notice. No additional appeal statement or final comments needed for the new route.
Interested parties will not need to repeat comments made at application stage. The LPA will share them with the Planning Inspectorate. There will be no opportunity to comment during the appeal process.
You can find more information at Upcoming changes to written representation appeals GOV.UK
Current planning consultations
The Government have issued consultations on changes to planning to be introduced before plan-making reforms. These include:
- Reform of planning committees
- Speeding up build out of new homes and
- Biodiversity net gain
Cornwall Council has produced a briefing note on the proposals and how they will affect planning in Cornwall.
Land Use Framework briefing note
The Government recently consulted on a proposed Land Use Framework. The Framework will be published later in 2025 and will include:
- principles that Government will apply to policy land use implications
- a description of how policy will develop and adapt to support land use change
- a release of land use data and analysis and
- development of tools to support land managers in practice.
The Council submitted a detailed response to the consultation. We are also doing work on a Land Use study for Cornwall. You can find out more in our briefing note.
Interim Policy Statement
The Council adopted the Interim Policy Position Statement on 7 April 2025. This describes how we will continue to use our Local Plan for making decisions. It sets out guidance on:
- how the presumption in favour of sustainable development works
- weight that may be given to policies of the current development plan and
- issues affecting negotiations.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill briefing note
This Bill was published on 11 March 2025. It covers:
- Infrastructure
- Planning fees
- Planning committees and a national scheme of delegation
- Strategic planning
- Nature restoration
- Development Corporations
- Compulsory Purchase Amendments
The Planning Policy has produced a briefing note to help with understanding the Bill and what it means.
Planning news Spring 2025
We have published our Spring planning newsletters:
- Planning News for Local Councils and Agents
- Neighbourhood Planning Newsletter
You can find links to these newsletters on our Planning News page.
Our next newsletter is due in July 2025.