Town and Country Planning Appeals (Determination by Inspectors) (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000 (S.I. No. 1625 of 2000).

These Rules regulate the procedure to be followed in connection with local inquiries in England held by inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State to determine appeals made to him in relation to planning permission, listed building consent and consent for the demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas. Rule 4(4) requires local planning authorities to return their completed questionnaires to the Secretary of State within 2 weeks of the starting date. Rule 6 requires the local planning authority and the appellant to ensure that 2 copies of their statements of case have been received by the Secretary of State within 6 weeks of the starting date. It provides for the documents to be copied by the Secretary of State to the parties and to be sent to the inspector. Rule 7(2) requires that pre-inquiry meetings are to be held for all inquiries that the inspector expects to last for more than 8 days, unless he considers it is unnecessary. Rule 8 provides that the inspector will, in respect of inquiries that the Secretary of State expects to last for 8 days or more, and may in respect of other inquiries, prepare a timetable for the proceedings at the inquiry and may vary the timetable. Rule 14(4) provides for the proofs of evidence to be sent by the Secretary of State to the inspector. Rule 15 requires the local planning authority and the appellant to prepare a statement of common ground and send it to the Secretary of State and any statutory party 4 weeks before the inquiry. Rule 16(2) provides that at the start of the inquiry the inspector will state what he considers to be the main issues to be considered at the inquiry.