The Council normally agree with the appellant's choice of the written representations method in almost all cases because this method is the quickest, and most cost efficient. Also, there is no evidence that the prospect of the appeal being dismissed is greater using the Hearing or Inquiry procedures. It is appropriate for almost all minor and some major developments, that do not raise multiple issues of great complexity and which has not generated a lot of public interest. 

However, there may be some cases usually involving more major developments, where the issues are more complex, where there is a lot of public interest, where evidence may need to be taken on oath, where the Council can request a different procedure. If you feel strongly that there should be a different procedure used you should say so, with reasons, in writing, as soon as possible to the Council's Appeals Officer and/ or the Councils elected representative(s) for the area.

The Council would then consider requesting that the Inspectorate adopt a different procedure. If a different procedure is adopted a new start date is given and the new procedure and timescale is adopted. The Planning Inspectorate website at provides indicative criteria to determine which of the three procedures is appropriate.