Last edited 14 Mar 2019

Planning Inspectorate PINS

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is an executive agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), or the Welsh Government in Wales. It has more than 730 staff and 100 contractors, with offices in Bristol and Cardiff.

The Planning Inspectorate deals with:

National infrastructure planning, including large-scale projects such as harbours, power generating stations (including wind farms) and electricity transmission lines.
Processing planning appeals.
Processing enforcement appeals.
Examining local plans.
Examining community infrastructure levy charging schedules.
Listed building consent appeals.
Advertisement appeals.
Reporting on planning applications called in for decision by the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Compulsory purchase orders.
Rights of way cases.
Cases arising from the Environmental Protection and Water Acts and the Transport and Works Act and other Highways Legislation.
Processing applications for awards of costs.

Complaints against decisions are dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate’s Quality Assurance Unit.

It is only possible to appeal against decisions of the Planning Inspectorate in the High Court, by showing they have misinterpreted the law. The Planning Inspectorate will then look at the decision again, but it will not necessarily be reversed. Applications to challenge decisions must be received by the Administrative Court within 42 days from the date of the decision.

NB: In Scotland, planning inspectors are called 'reporters'.

On 17 December 2015, Sarah Richards was appointed as the new Chief Executive of The Planning Inspectorate. The Chief Executive is personally responsible for the management of Inspectorate in accordance with the framework document which describes the Inspectorate’s relationship with DCLG. She took up her post on 14 March 2016.

Richards said: “I’m very excited about taking up the role as Chief Executive today and taking the reins of this well respected organisation. Across the wide range of its casework, the Planning Inspectorate is integral to ensuring a swift planning system is in place for all, from individual citizens through to major developers and corporations.”

In March 2019 it was announced that the Planning Inspectorate would run a pilot scheme for inquiries in response to the recommendations of the inquiries review. Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/inquiries-review