Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Planning Inspectorate guidance - updated 3 March 2022

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and guidance from government, the Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events.

From:
Planning Inspectorate
Published
12 March 2020
Last updated
4 March 2022 — See all updates

This guidance was withdrawn on

The government’s plan for Living With COVID-19 has been in place for a few months now and whilst the COVID-19 virus is still circulating, we have not seen a resurgence of cases or any more troubling developments in the UK in recent weeks. With this in mind, this COVID-19 guidance has been withdrawn.

Applies to England

Following the announcement on 21 February 2022 we have updated our guidance.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and guidance from government, the Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events.

We continue to review Government advice and what this means for our way of working and our guidance for customers in England.

Current position (3 March)

The government published the plan for Living with Covid-19 on 21 February 2022.

In response to the plan our latest position on casework arrangements is largely unchanged:

  • site visits will continue and Inspectors will adhere to government guidance on the use of face coverings (wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where coming into contact with people you do not usually meet, when rates of transmission are high)
  • hearings and inquiries are being arranged by local planning authorities and order making authorities (except for national infrastructure where the applicant is the organiser)
  • hearings and inquiries are entirely in person, entirely virtual or a mix of the two
  • where participants (including the Inspector) need to present their evidence or participate virtually this will need to be facilitated by the local planning authority, order making authority or national infrastructure applicant arranging the hearing or inquiry.
  • where in-person events or elements are planned, the local planning authority, order making authority or national infrastructure applicant arranging the event must be prepared for the hearing or inquiry to be held fully virtually at short notice and without postponement
  • it is the responsibility of the local planning authority to ensure there are adequate safety measures in place as per government guidance

See letter issued to local planning authorities on 21 January

Advice for customers

We want to continue to ensure that casework can keep moving while keeping our staff and customers safe.

To help us, customers are requested to:

  • inform us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend, or feel that it is unsafe for an inspector to attend, a site visit for any reason
  • use the appeals casework portal for new appeals
  • use the appeals casework portal for making comments on appeals
  • email/ ring their case officer directly
  • avoid written correspondence to us if possible – this delays the process

If you have any queries, please contact your case officer directly. If you do not have a case officer please contact our customer service team via the contact details available on the Planning Inspectorate homepage.

Detailed guidance

Please ensure that you check this page regularly and follow our Twitter updates.

Events

Planning Appeals

Local Plan Examination

NSIP

Creating a sustainable and robust ‘operating model’ for the future

We are continuing work on developing a new operating model for events. Our goal is to build a sustainable model for the future that:

  • is accessible for all parties involved and offers opportunities to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in our events
  • ensures we maintain our values of fairness, openness, impartiality and customer focus
  • meets our public sector equality duty responsibilities
  • meets our environmental policy requirements

We expect to share our new operating model in spring 2022.

Updates to this page

Published 12 March 2020
Last updated 4 March 2022 + show all updates

  1. Latest advice for casework arrangements following the publication of the government's 'Living with Covid' plan.

  2. Following the announcement on 21 February 2022 we are working through the new guidance and will make further updates shortly.

  3. Updated Covid-19 operating guidance following the latest Prime Minister's announcement

  4. Planning Appeals, Rights of Way and Commons Act 2006 - site visits, hearings and inquiries guidance updated

  5. Local Plan Examinations and CIL Examinations guidance updated

  6. Guidance update following the government enacting its Plan B.

  7. Additional wording added on our position on casework arrangements.

  8. Local Plan Examination - Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance document updated

  9. Updated guidance published for nationally significant infrastructure project casework

  10. Updated guidance to reflect the Government’s continuing route to relax social distancing restrictions.

  11. The guidance has been updated in the light of the Government’s continuing route to relax social distancing restrictions.

  12. Planning Inspectorate guidance and booklets - updated 17 May 2021

  13. The guidance has been updated in light of the Government’s proposed potential changes to restrictions.

  14. The guidance has been updated in the light of the Government’s announcement on 22 February 2021 on the proposed potential changes to restrictions.

  15. Detailed guidance updated following the Government’s announcement made on 4th January 2021.

  16. We are currently reviewing the guidance below in the light of the Government’s announcement made on 4th January 2021. Any updates will be published on this page.

  17. Guidance updated to reflect changes arising from the introduction of tier 4 restrictions in London and some parts of S E England

  18. Additional links to updated: procedural guidance, apply for rule 6 status guides and virtual events: guide to participating.

  19. Updated guidance documents for all casework types. Updated guidance on page.

  20. Information on Temple Quay House being closed and not sending new appeals/documents via the post, it delays the process and puts our staff at risk.

  21. Message and all associated guidance updated.

  22. Page updated with clarification on sending out paper appeal forms and appeal forms and documents being sent in hard copy to our Bristol and Cardiff offices, which are currently closed.

  23. Wording and all attached guidance updated following the latest Government advice.

  24. Update advice for COVID 19

  25. NSIP Events and Local plan Examination documents updated.

  26. Updated in light of prime minister announcement last night.

  27. Site visits, hearings and inquiries document updated

  28. Updated message about C19

  29. First published.

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