Publication scheme

Our publication scheme sets out the different types of information we make available and how to obtain them. It follows the Information Commissioner’s model publication scheme.


Our publication schemeÌý

The Planning Inspectorate is committed to making information available as part of our normal business activities whenever we can legally do so, except where we consider that an exemption to withhold information applies, according to an appropriate exemption/exception under either the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or Environmental Information Regulations 2004. We must also comply with the requirements of the data protection legislation and respect the privacy of individuals.Ìý

The Freedom of Information Act requires every public authority to have a publication scheme approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office, and to publish information covered by the scheme.ÌýÌý

Who we are and what we doÌý

The Planning Inspectorate deals with planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and other planning-related and specialist casework in England and Wales.Ìý

The Planning Inspectorate is an executive agency, sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.Ìý

You can find out more about what we do on our More about us page.Ìý

Planning Inspectorate Framework document - 51²è¹ÝÌý

What we spend and how we spend itÌý

Planning Inspectorate Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 - 51²è¹Ý notably includes:Ìý

  • SCS (SCS2 and above + Board members) allowances and expenses,ÌýÌý
  • Financial Statements, budgets and variance reports,ÌýÌý
  • Capital Programme,ÌýÌý
  • Spending Review,ÌýÌý
  • Ex-gratia scheme,ÌýÌý
  • Financial statement for projects and events,ÌýÌý
  • Expenditure on consultancy and contingent labour in the annual report.Ìý

Procurement at Planning Inspectorate - Planning Inspectorate - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Planning Inspectorate spending over £250 - 51²è¹Ý Ìý

New contracts of £10,000 or more awarded or tendered since January 2011 can be found on Contracts Finder.Ìý

What our priorities are and how we are doingÌý

Our Planning Inspectorate Business Plan 2025/26 - 51²è¹Ý sets out our vision, direction and strategic context.Ìý

The Planning Inspectorate Environmental Policy - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Research and statistics - 51²è¹ÝÌý

DLUHC’s gender pay gap report 2023 - 51²è¹Ý

Planning Inspectorate Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 - 51²è¹Ý includes information on our Business Plan and Performance Analysis.Ìý

How we make decisionsÌý

Our governance - Planning Inspectorate - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Board meeting minutes - The Planning Inspectorate - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Our policies and proceduresÌý

Social media use - Planning Inspectorate - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Planning Inspectorate Customer Charter - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Planning Inspectorate: privacy notices - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Complaints procedure - Planning Inspectorate - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Guidance and regulation - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Nationally significant infrastructure projects: application fees - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Recruitment & Selection Privacy Notice - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Requests are commonly made for our Inspector Training Manual (ITM). As the guidance it contains is often superseded as legislation changes, we do not publish the ITM. However, dated copies are available upon request.ÌýÌý

Please note, the ITM is subject to regular updates, and the Manual does not constitute Government policy or guidance and does not seek to interpret Government policy. In the event that there appears to be a discrepancy between the Manual and national policy / guidance, any national policy and guidance will be conclusive.Ìý

As this document is not written for an external audience, many of the hyperlinks point to our internal systems at the Inspectorate (including links from one chapter to another) and therefore will not be accessible to those outside.Ìý

Please contact the Customer Team to obtain a copy at .Ìý

The Services We OfferÌý

Services - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Guidance and regulation - 51²è¹ÝÌý

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Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Lists and registersÌý

Planning Inspectorate Casework Database - 51²è¹ÝÌý

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Register of Planning Inspectorate Board Member Interests - 51²è¹ÝÌý

Planning Inspectorate Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 - 51²è¹Ý - includes our Risk Management, Asset and Information Asset Register.Ìý

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ChargesÌý

We want to make as much information available at the lowest cost to the public. Any material published and accessed on our website is free.ÌýÌý

However, where we consider it is reasonable, and in accordance with relevant legislation to do so, we may make a charge for staff time and/or disbursements (photocopying, printing, postage) and will advise you of this before information is provided.Ìý

Disclosure LogÌý

The Planning Inspectorate’s Transparency and freedom of information releases - 51²è¹Ý provides information on how we respond to statistical requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004.ÌýÌý

Quarterly information rights performance statistics reports - 51²è¹Ý - discloses quarterly statistics on our performance in responding to information rights requests.