A new consultation document was issued by the Planning Minister Keith Hill proposing possible changes to the planning appeal process. The changes offer interested parties a greater role in the appeals process, what is currently limited.

This would mean a bigger say to local organisations and groups such as the Sinclair Road Residents Association (SRRA), which is campaigning against St George development plans at the Olympia Car Park (see Olympia Battle), or the Hammersmith Community Trust, which runs the Emerald Centre now under risk of closure for the development of a bus station (see Emerald Centre could become bus station).

Keith Hill said: "People have a right to be involved in planning decisions which affect their communities. Whether it's an appeal on a factory, a shopping centre or a new housing development, the local community must have its say.

"We're keen to hear what planning professionals think of these changes, but we're also keen to hear from people who've been affected by planning decisions. This is your chance to tell us what you think."

The consultation follows a review of the current rules and regulations with key stakeholders. The proposed changes are out for consultation until 14 April 2004. The consultation paper seeks views on proposed changes to the statutory rules and regulations governing the planning appeals procedure process. Revised procedures to improve the handling of planning appeals by inquiry, hearing and written representation methods were introduced in August 2000.

At the moment if an appeal is being pursued by means of an inquiry or informal hearing, objectors are given the opportunity to make their case before the Inspector, after having been able to consider all the submitted evidence. However, under the existing written representations procedure third parties are required to make their submission 6 weeks after the relevant start date, the same time as main parties are required to exchange their statements.

A potential disadvantage could arise at this point should the main parties' original submissions be deficient in essential detail and lack any proper analysis of planning policy - if main parties' full cases were only submitted at the 6-week deadline, third parties would be unable to comment upon them.

It is proposed to make a change under which third parties would be able to comment at the nine weeks stage where one of the main parties submitted representations at the six week stage.

The consultation paper is available on the ODPM website