Planning Inspectorate Casework Database
Detailed information on a selection of the Planning Inspectorate's casework decisions over a 5 year rolling period.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
03 December 2024 update: We have discovered a data quality issue with the number of residences field. We are investigating this issue and advise caution is needed when using this field. Linked to this, we have discovered some inconsistencies with the major housing development and minor housing development. This is being investigated, and we will provide updates as we can.
We have made corrections to our data on decision dates for Tree Preservation Order (TPO) cases since the previous database release.
In previous releases of the database, cases belonging to Somerset, North Yorkshire or Cumbria were incorrectly flagged as No LPA Associated. This has been corrected in the current database release.
24 May 2024 update: We have returned inspector name to the database but advise there are still blank entries where the decision maker should be known. We have made some improvements to data quality but further investigations and changes are still in progress.
29 January 2024 update: There has been a data entry issue with Tree Preservation Order (TPO) cases where incorrect valid dates have been entered. This means we have removed the dates from this field for TPO cases.
If you have any questions on this please contact statistics@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
12 June 2023 update: We apologise that due to a data processing issue, agents’ names are missing from casework decided after 31st March 2022. This means it is not possible to say, for these cases, whether an agent was involved.
We are exploring this issue and will provide the missing names as soon as we can.
This data set includes detailed information on a selection of the Planning Inspectorate’s (PINS) casework decisions over a 5-year rolling period. Casework currently in progress and those which have been withdrawn or turned away are not included.
The number of appeals listed in the Casework Database may not match exactly with other Statistics published by the Planning Inspectorate, for example our Official Statistics that we publish each month. This is due in part because the database and the Official Statistics were compiled on different days and that the data may have been updated in the intervening period.
We are looking into the possibilities for improving the publication of the Casework Database. If you would like to contact us about this, please do so by contacting statistics@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
In 2021 we removed the ‘Development or Allegation’ field in the Casework Database. A review found an unacceptable risk that the field could contain, and disclose, sensitive personal data. We take data protection very seriously and this action has been taken to ensure we comply with the UK General Data Protection Requirement (Data Protection Act 2018).
We have expanded the casework database to include the following specialist casework types:
- Common Land
- Community Infrastructure Levy
- Environmental
- Hedgerow
- High Hedges
- Purchase Notices
- Rights of Way (including schedule 14 and Rights of Way modifications)
- Tree Preservation Orders
Older Casework Database
The Older Casework Data gives details of appeals that have a decision date between 5 and 10 years ago. The database will allow users to compile summary statistics. Due to data retention policy we have removed all fields that could make an individual appeal, which was decided more than 5 years ago, identifiable. This is in line with the Appeals Casework Portal which does not have details of appeals decided more than 5 years ago.
Therefore, unlike the Casework Database, we do not record in the Older Casework data:
- Case Number
- LPAs Reference
- Name of Appellant
- Name of Agent
- Site Address
The Older Casework Data Reference Number is used in connection with the Older Casework data only. It is not connected in any way with the Appeal Reference Number or the LPAs Reference, or with the reference number in any previous or future Older Casework Data set.
We record the first part of the site address Post code on the Older Casework Data.
The casework types recorded in the Older Casework database are the same as those in the Casework Database.
If you want information about appeals decided in the last 5 years please see our Casework Database.
Please Note
This dataset is drawn from Planning Inspectorate admin systems. There are some fields which have been left empty for particular appeals. There could be various reasons for this, for example:
- the relevant information was not provided by the main parties
- the relevant information was a negative reply and the respective field was left empty. E.g. The site is not in a SSSI
- the case is a child case and the relevant information has been recorded against the lead appeal
We are looking at ways to make this database as complete as we can. If you need any help or advice in interpreting the database please let us know.
We have various mechanisms for checking our data and being alerted to changes - therefore data can change between different publications of this data set. If you spot a data error please tell us; statistics@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
Please note that the Planning Inspectorate will not entertain a challenge to the appointment of any Decision Maker on the basis of this data.
- all cases are considered on their individual merits, and on the basis of the evidence submitted
- targets are not set for the percentage of allowed and dismissed cases
- decision Makers do not select their own casework
- casework is allocated to Decision Maker on the best balance of availability, geography, casework level and expertise. This may produce apparent patterns of outcome that are in fact artefacts of the way work is allocated and do not provide evidence as to an Inspector’s fitness for or approach to a particular case
- decision Makers handle different numbers of cases in a year – some dealing with as few as one which would give a result of 100% allowed or 100% dismissed
- decision Makers are rigorously trained to ensure that they develop and maintain the skills necessary to undertake the work that they are given. These skills will influence the type of cases they deal with
- some appeals are linked together as they relate to the same or similar development on the same site
- the Inspectorate has an exacting Ministerial target which requires all casework to be 99% free from justified complaint or legal challenge
- a Decision Maker constitutes a selected person appointed to carry out: open, impartial, honest decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State
Updates to this page
Published 21 March 2018Last updated 3 December 2024 + show all updates
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Q2 data sheets added and detail notes added
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Casework Database and Older Casework Data: casework decided between 5 and 10 years ago files updated
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Casework Database and Older Casework Data updated with Q3 data
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We have discovered a data processing error, which means that the Inspector Name field entry is missing from some cases that, in fact, been allocated to an inspector. Where there is an Inspector Name the data is correct. We are investigating this issue. There has been a data entry issue with Tree Preservation Order (TPO) cases where incorrect valid dates have been entered. This means we have removed the dates from this field for TPO cases.
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27 November 2023 update: We have discovered a data processing error, which means that the Inspector Name field is not giving reliable information. (In many cases it is wrongly showing as "No Inspector Associated"). As a result, please do not use this information until this error has been corrected. We are working hard to correct the error and intend to provide corrected information by 01 December 2023. If you have any questions on this please contact statistics@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
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Casework Database and Older Casework Data: casework decided between 5 and 10 years ago documents updated with Q1 data
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We have republished the Quarterly and Annual Volume Statistics and the Casework Database with minor amendments to table 5.2.
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We apologise that due to a data processing issue, agents’ names are missing from casework decided after 31st March 2022. This means it is not possible to say, for these cases, whether an agent was involved. We are exploring this issue and will provide the missing names as soon as we can.
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The 2 databases have been updated to Q4 data. The previous databases have included details of Planning and Enforcement appeal types only. The new databases include some types of Specialist Casework. As some Specialist Casework types are not actually ‘Appeals’, ‘Casework’ described the data more accurately and the page has been renamed.
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The appeals database covering the period October 2017 - September 2022 was originally published on 14th November 2022. It has been reproduced and republished on 24th November 2022 with the addition of ‘LPA Decision Date’ field.
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Appeals database and Older Appeals Data updated and wording at bottom of page updated
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Appeals database and older appeals database updated with Q1 information
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Appeals database updated for Q4 and Older Appeals Data: appeals decided between 5 and 10 years ago Q4 new document.
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Quarter 3 data added
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Quarter 2 appeals database added and hints and tips document updated.
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Appeals Data: Data notes and guidance updated
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Wording added. We have temporarily removed the ability to view the ‘Development or Allegation’ field in the Appeals Database. A review found an unacceptable risk that the field could contain, and disclose, sensitive personal data. We take data protection very seriously and this action has been taken to ensure we comply with the UK General Data Protection Requirement (Data Protection Act 2018). We are working on ways to manage this risk and hope that we can publish data in this field again soon.
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Appeals database updated
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The Appeals data file is temporarily unavailable. The dataset is currently being reviewed and revalidated and when this is complete the file will be republished. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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01 January 2016 to 31 December 2020 data added
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Planning Inspectorate - Appeals Data - 01 October 2015 to 30 September 2020 updated
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Data sets updated: 1 April 2015 - 31 March 2020
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We have delayed publication of our appeals statistics and appeals data set after our quality review identified problems with the data we intended to publish. Our normal review process has been affected by the need to carry out additional data extraction, reporting and analysis associated with the impact of Covid-19 on The Planning Inspectorate’s operations. We will now be publishing our statistics and data on Wednesday 27th May 2020 at 9.30am.
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CSV removed from page as not suitable
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01 January 2015 to 31 December 2019 data added
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Appeals Data updated to 01 October 14 to 30 September 19
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Data updated with 01 July 2014 to 30 June 2019 information
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Appeals data updated
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Appeals data updated - 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2018
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Appeals data updated.
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Appeals Data updated to 01 July 2013 to 30 June 2018
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01 April 2013 to 31 March 2018 data added
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First published.