Planning appeals handled through new digital platform

A new digital service has become the primary route for planning and enforcement appeals in England, following its successful national rollout.

The ‘Appeal a planning decision’ platform intends to make the appeal process faster and simpler, replacing the older ‘Appeals Casework Portal’, (ACP), which is now being phased out.

The Planning Inspectorate stated that the change "marks a significant step in [their] journey to modernise the appeals process", with this forming part of the government’s wider aim to digitalise public services more broadly.

Most new planning and enforcement appeals must now be submitted through the new service, with the agency seeking to onboard the few specialist cases onto the platform throughout the 2026/27 financial year. Those with existing appeals on ACP can still view and manage their case through that service.

The services currently supported by the new platform are: householder, planning, listed building, commercial planning, commercial adverts and advertisements, enforcement notice, enforcement notice listed building, and lawful development certificate appeals.

The ‘Appeal a planning decision’ platform seeks to provide a more 'intuitive, secure, and resilient’ user experience for appellants, local authorities and agents, in line with the latest Government Digital and Data standards. In contrast to the ACP, it is an end-to-end digital service.

Prior to its widespread implementation, it was originally piloted in five London boroughs, before eventually being rolled to all authorities in England by December 2025.

The Planning Inspectorate states it is continuously monitoring the service and using feedback to make improvements. Those desiring step-by-step guidance to using the new platform can visit the Planning Inspectorate website, which will automatically direct them to the appropriate service for their appeal type.