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<p>Planning is a quasi-judicial process; it is a long-standing feature of the planning
system that there is a right of appeal, just as there are with other local quasi-judicial
decisions such as on licensing applications, gambling applications or parking fines.</p><p>
</p><p>Planning appeals are decided by independent planning inspectors on behalf of
the Secretary of State, or in a small number of cases by the Secretary of State himself.
Interested parties have a statutory right to make representations on planning appeals,
and these representations are required to be taken into account by the decision maker.
This allows proper democratic oversight of the appeals process.</p><p> </p><p>The
Localism Act 2011 has strengthened the role of Local Plans and abolished the last
Administration’s top-down Regional Strategies. Our streamlined National Planning Policy
Framework strongly encourages areas to get up-to-date Local Plans in place, and we
have been actively supporting councils in doing so. Local Plans now set the framework
in which decisions on particular applications are taken, whether locally or at appeal,
unless material considerations indicate otherwise.</p><p> </p><p>Once made a neighbourhood
plan will also become part of the area’s statutory development plan — an example of
this Government’s localist agenda. Both Local and Neighbourhood Plans are founded
on thorough community involvement and are subject to independent examination and consultation.
Over 1,200 communities have applied for a neighbourhood planning area to be designated,
with over 1,000 areas now designated.</p><p> </p><p>Planning inspectors will take
full account of all the evidence that is before them, including representations made
by local residents and other interested parties. Each representation should be considered
on their merits, paying careful regard to the relevant policy and material planning
considerations.</p><p> </p><p>Since the National Planning Policy Framework was introduced,
the number of appeals received has fallen as has the number allowed. The quality of
local decisions also remains high—99% of decisions are made locally with only approximately
1% of planning applications overturned on appeal. Housing starts and housing construction
are also up, as are permissions for new homes. This means there is more local decision-making,
and our reforms are supporting badly-needed new homes within a locally-led planning
system.</p>
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