The council is the first in the country to roll out the government-developed online service

a partially buily domestic extension — Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Barnet Council has become the first in the country to launch a new system designed to make it easier for residents to appeal planning decisions.

The council is trialling an improved online Householder Appeals System. It is the first council in the country to trial the service developed by the government’s national Planning Inspectorate.

Using the portal residents can appeal planning decisions if they are not issued on time, if they think the reasons for refusal are not valid, or if they are not satisfied with the conditions of their planning permission.

The new portal is also intended to help Barnet’s planning officers to process the 300 to 400 appeals they receive every year.

The previous portal was considered outdated and confusing and failed to meet current digital or accessibility standards.

Cllr Ross Houston, Deputy Leader of Barnet Council and Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, said: “It’s great that Barnet has been chosen to trial this innovative new service. We’re one of the busiest planning authorities in the country, and this will simplify the appeal process for our residents and officers.

“Together with the other digital services we are introducing, this will help to ensure residents take part in the planning process, which is key to achieving our aim of delivering high-quality development that provides the homes and businesses we need while respecting the local environment.”

Following the initial trial, the Planning Inspectorate will carefully analyse feedback and data to ensure the service meets all requirements before gradually expanding the pilot to include more councils. Full planning appeals are expected to be added to the system between January and March.

Graham Stallwood, Chief Operating Officer at the Planning Inspectorate, said: “This pilot is an exciting milestone in our ongoing efforts to modernise the appeals process, making it easier for all parties involved from appellants to local planning authorities. We’re grateful to Barnet Council for agreeing to partner with us and be the first council to trial the new service.”

The new appeals portal follows the launch earlier this year of the council’s Find Out If You Need Planning Permission service, which makes it quicker and easier for residents to check when and how to apply for permission for building works such as home extensions. This joined the Report A Planning Breach service, intended to make it easier for residents to report building works that might not have the right planning permission.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.