When a refused planning application goes to appeal, a Planning Inspector from the Planning Inspectorate leads the procedure. He’ll assess all the evidence presented by both parties and be the one who will make a decision within 28 days.
Nearly all appeals are decided by Inspectors or by appointed persons; in each case they are solely responsible for their decision. A very small percentage are decided by the Secretary of State – these tend to be the very large or contentious proposed schemes.
