Important dates

What the important dates are for planning applications. Explains what things like 'valid from date' mean.

Council process

These dates are the important events for applications while they are being handled by the local council planning authority.

Received date

This is the date that the application is received by the council. It may not be the date it was sent, if there have been delays in the submission process.

Valid from date

This is the date that the application is considered a valid application. Usually this will be the same as the received date, but sometimes applications are submitted incorrectly, and need correcting to be valid. This is the date that processing the application officially begins.

Published date

This is the date the application is registered by the council and published on the digital planning register. It may be different from the date the application is valid from, as it can take time to put a valid application online.

Consultation end date

This is the date that the statutory consultation will end for the application.

Once an application has been submitted, there are at least 21 days (excluding bank/public holidays) where the council is not permitted to make a decision. This is the statutory consultation period. It can go on for longer than 21 days, but it cannot be any less.

During this time, comments can be submitted for consideration by the planning team. Some councils allow comments to be submitted until a decision has been made, but they all must accept comments during the consultation.

Council decision date

The date the council made a formal decision to grant or refuse the planning application.

Appeals process

These dates are the important events for applications that are going through the appeal process, or have gone through it. Appeals are handled by the planning inspectorate.

Appeal lodged date

The date an appeal was lodged with the planning inspectorate. At this stage the appeal still needs to be checked that it valid.

Appeal valid from date

The date the appeal was confirmed to be valid. This appeal can now be examined in detail by the planning inspectorate.

Appeal started date

The date the appeal began to be assessed by the planning inspectorate. There is guidance available on how long this process is likely to take.

Appeal decided date

The date the planning inspectorate published their decision about the appeal. This decision is final.