Residents face having to stump up a whopping £120 if they want to appeal against a decision by their council not to grant planning permission for many minor schemes to improve their homes under new laws to be introduced.

The Government is set to implement the measure if residents appeal against decisions denying planning permission for building the likes of loft conversions, house extensions, fencing, garaging and replacement windows.

However, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the professional body for planners, is launching a campaign this week to get the plan scrapped and is calling on residents to contact their MPs and councillors to voice their opinion.

Appeals are presently heard by the independent Planning Inspectorate, and are free.

-- Advertisement --

Robert Upton, Secretary General of the RTPI, said: "This would be a stealth tax which hundreds of ordinary people will have to pay if they disagree with the council and want to appeal against a decision.

"It is also totally wrong as a matter of principle that councils should be hearing appeals against their own decisions."

The laws, contained in little noticed sections of the Planning Bill, are currently going through the House of Commons.

Ministers want to remove the existing right of appeal to an independent and impartial body, known as the Planning Inspectorate, and replace it with a new system which would see councillors, possibly from other authorities, sitting in judgement over local resident's appeals against refusals of planning applications.

Councillor Mike Roberts, Chair of Politicians in Planning Association (PIPA), which represents councillors with an interest and expertise in planning issues, said: "It is important that planning decisions are accountable to local communities through local government. However, where something 'goes wrong' you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

“This process ensures that often deeply felt concerns are reconsidered by an independent, impartial and expert body, not by the council which made the original decision."

Businesses also face having to pay the hefty charge for minor appeals against decisions involving shop fronts and small changes to land use.

(JM)