Barnet Council has become the first local authority in the country to trial a new system designed to streamline the planning appeals process.
The Planning Inspectorate has chosen the council to pilot the new Householder Appeals System, a digital platform that will make the process simpler, accessible and more user-friendly. It will replace the outdated Appeals Casework Portal, which is maintenance-heavy, fails to meet current Government Digital Service or accessibility standards, and has some areas that have been identified as difficult to use or confusing.
The new portal provides a more user-friendly interface allowing local planning authorities, appellants and agents to manage multiple appeals, submit documentation and view other parties’ submissions.
It also benefits from clearer guidance and simplified, automated communications to keep all parties informed throughout the process. Developed in-house by the Planning Inspectorate, the system has been based on extensive user research with members of the public and a range of local authority representatives.
As well as benefiting residents, it will also reduce planning officers’ workloads. In Barnet, the planning department receives approximately 300 to 400 appeals every year.
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 local planning authorities. Full, section 78 planning appeals are expected to be added to the new system between January and March.
