Search Legislation

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 78 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 03 October 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 78:

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

78 Right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions. E+W

(1)Where a local planning authority—

(a)refuse an application for planning permission or grant it subject to conditions;

[F1(aa)refuse an application for permission in principle;]

[F2(ab)refuse an application under section 74B (variation of condition relating to construction working hours);]

[F3(ac)refuse an application under section 93B (extension of certain planning permissions in England: additional environmental approval);]

[F4(ad)refuse an application under section 93F (outline planning permission: extension of limits for beginning development with additional environmental approval);]

(b)refuse an application for any consent, agreement or approval of that authority required by a condition imposed on a grant of planning permission or grant it subject to conditions; or

(c)refuse an application for any approval of that authority required under a development order [F5, a local development order or a neighbourhood development order] or grant it subject to conditions,

the applicant may by notice appeal to the Secretary of State.

(2)A person who has made such an application [F6to the local planning authority] may also appeal to the Secretary of State if the local planning authority have [F7done none of the following]

(a)given notice to the applicant of their decision on the application;

[F8(aa)given notice to the applicant that they have exercised their power under section 70A [F9or 70B] [F10or 70C] [F11or 70D] to decline to determine the application;]

(b)given notice to him that the application has been referred to the Secretary of State in accordance with directions given under section 77,

within such period as may be prescribed by the development order [F12or in relation to a biodiversity gain plan specified in regulations under paragraph 16(a) of Schedule 7A (biodiversity gain in England: regulations about determinations)] or within such extended period as may at any time be agreed upon in writing between the applicant and the authority.

(3)Any appeal under this section shall be made by notice served within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed by a development order [F13or, in relation to a biodiversity gain plan specified in regulations under paragraph 16(a) of Schedule 7A].

(4)The time prescribed for the service of such a notice must not be less than—

(a)28 days from the date of notification of the decision; or

(b)in the case of an appeal under subsection (2), 28 days from the end of the period prescribed as mentioned in subsection (2) or, as the case may be, the extended period mentioned in that subsection.

[F14(4A)A notice of appeal under this section must be accompanied by such information as may be prescribed by a development order.

[F15(4AA) An appeal under this section may not be brought or continued against the refusal of an application for planning permission if—

(a)the land to which the application relates is in Wales,

(b)granting the application would involve granting planning permission in respect of matters specified in an enforcement notice as constituting a breach of planning control, and

(c)on the determination of an appeal against that notice under section 174, planning permission for those matters was not granted under section 177.

(4AB)An appeal under this section may not be brought or continued against the grant of an application for planning permission subject to a condition, if—

(a)the land to which the application relates is in Wales,

(b)an appeal against an enforcement notice has been brought under section 174 on the ground that the condition ought to be discharged, and

(c)on the determination of that appeal, the condition was not discharged under section 177.]

F16(4B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F17(4BA) Once notice of an appeal under this section to the Welsh Ministers has been served, the application to which it relates may not be varied, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed by a development order.

(4BB)A development order which makes provision under subsection (4BA) must provide for an application which is varied to be subject to such further consultation as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate.]

F16(4C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16(4D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(5)For the purposes of the application of sections [F1879(1) and (3)], 253(2)(c), 266(1)(b) [F19, 288(10)(b) [F20, 319A(7)(b) and 319B(7)(b)]] in relation to an appeal under subsection (2), it shall be assumed that the authority decided to refuse the application in question.

Textual Amendments

F2S. 78(1)(ab) inserted (temp.) (28.7.2020) by virtue of Business and Planning Act 2020 (c. 16), ss. 16(3), 25(3)(a) (with s. 16(6))

F3S. 78(1)(ac) inserted (temp.) (19.8.2020) by virtue of Business and Planning Act 2020 (c. 16), ss. 17(3), 25(3)(b) (with s. 17(6))

F4S. 78(1)(ad) inserted (temp.) (19.8.2020) by virtue of Business and Planning Act 2020 (c. 16), ss. 18(3), 25(3)(b) (with s. 18(6))

F5Words in s. 78(1)(c) substituted (15.11.2011 for specified purposes, 15.1.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2012 for specified purposes, 3.8.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(5)(j), Sch. 12 para. 11; S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(h) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/628, art. 8(a) (with arts. 9, 12, 13, 16, 18-20) (as amended (3.8.2012) by S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 4); S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 3(a) (with art. 5) (as amended (6.4.2013) by S.I. 2013/797, art. 4); S.I. 2013/797, arts. 1(2), 2

F6Words in s. 78(2) inserted (9.5.2013 for E. for specified purposes, 1.10.2013 for specified purposes, 1.10.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27), s. 35(1), Sch. 1 para. 8; S.I. 2013/1124, art. 2; S.I. 2013/2143, art. 2(1)(a); S.I. 2014/1531, art. 2

F7Words in s. 78(2) substituted (25.9.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 17(2) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1991/2067, art.3 (subject to art. 4)

F8S. 78(2)(aa) substituted (25.9.1991) for 'nor' by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 17(2) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3 (subject to art. 4)

F9Words in s. 78(2)(aa) inserted (6.4.2009 for E. and otherwise prosp.) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), ss. 43(2), 121 (with s. 111); S.I. 2009/384, art. 2

F10Words in s. 78(2)(aa) inserted (6.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 123(3), 240(2) (with s. 144); S.I. 2012/628, art. 8(b) (with arts. 9, 12, 13, 16, 18-20) (as amended (3.8.2012) by S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 4)

F11Words in s. 78(2)(aa) inserted (26.12.2023 for specified purposes) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 113(5), 255(3) (with s. 247)

F14S. 78(4A)-(4D) inserted (6.4.2009 for E., 30.4.2012 for W.) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), s. 241(3)(4), Sch. 11 para. 2 (with s. 226); S.I. 2009/400, art. 5(d); S.I. 2012/802, art. 2(b)

F16S. 78(4B)-(4D) omitted (6.9.2015) by virtue of Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), s. 58(2)(a), Sch. 7 para. 7(2)

F17S. 78(4BA)(4BB) inserted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 5.5.2017 in so far as not in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 47(1), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); The Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2017 (SI 2017/546), art 3(b) (with art. 4)

F18Words in s. 78(5) substituted (6.4.2009 for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), ss. 196, 241, Sch. 10 para. 3(a) (with s. 226); S.I. 2009/400, art. 3

F19Words in s. 78(5) substituted (6.4.2009 for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), ss. 196, 241, Sch. 10 para. 3(b) (with s. 226); S.I. 2009/400, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 78 modified by S.I. 1989/670, reg. 15 as amended by S.I. 1990/1562, regs. 2, 3, 6

S. 78 applied (with modifications) (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/666, reg. 15(1)(3), Sch. 4 Pts. I, IV, V

S. 78 applied (with modifications) (2.8.1999) by S.I. 1999/1892, reg. 2(1), Sch. art. 7, Sch. 2 Pt. I

S. 78 applied (with modifications) (2.8.1999) by S.I. 1999/1892, reg. 2(1), Sch. art. 7, Sch. 2 Pt. II

C2S. 78 restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 9(5), Sch. 6 Pt. IV para. 33

C4Ss. 78, 79 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2007) by The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/783), reg. 17, Sch. 4 (as amended (1.10.2013) by S.I. 2013/2114, regs. 1(1), 3)

C5S. 78 restricted (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), ss. 10, Sch. 7 para. 31

C6S. 78 applied (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), ss. 49, Sch. 16 para. 2(7)

C11Ss. 78, 79 applied (15.6.2013) by The Galloper Wind Farm Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1203), arts. 1, 6(1) (with arts. 11, 12)

C14S. 78 applied (with modifications) (20.11.2013) by The M1 Junction 10a (Grade Separation) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2808), arts. 1, 39(1)(a)

C15S. 78 applied in part (with modifications) (21.11.2013) by The Network Rail (Redditch Branch Enhancement) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2809), arts. 1, 37 (with arts. 27(2), 39, Sch. 10 para. 4)

C19S. 78 applied (with modifications) (6.8.2014) by The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1873), arts. 1, 6(1)(a) (with arts. 12, 13, Sch. 12)

C22S. 78 applied (with modifications) (23.10.2014) by The South Hook Combined Heat and Power Plant Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2846), arts. 1, 4(1)(a)

C28Ss. 78, 79 applied (9.6.2015) by The White Moss Landfill Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1317), arts. 1, 7(1)(a) (with art. 5)

C33S. 78 applied (with modifications) (12.2.2016) by The Palm Paper Mill Generating Station Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/166), arts. 1, 4(1)(a)

C47S. 78(1) applied (with modifications) (7.7.2014) by The East Anglia ONE Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1599), arts. 1, 35(2) (with arts. 37, 38, Sch. 9 para. 19)

C48S. 78(1) applied (with modifications) (7.1.2015) by The Willington C Gas Pipeline Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3328), arts. 1, 3(2)

C49S. 78(1) applied (with modifications) (29.8.2017) by The East Anglia THREE Offshore Wind Farm Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/826), arts. 1, 34(1) (with arts. 34(3), 36, 37, Sch. 8 para. 34)

C50S. 78(1) applied (with modifications) (11.10.2023) by The Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1033), arts. 1, 43 (with arts. 36, 37, Sch. 9 paras. 14, 44(1), 76, 103)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources