<b><b>Planning delay can be frustrating and costly for developers. But what is your legal position if your scheme is held up? Sandra Leece of Denton Wilde Sapte outlines your options</b></b><br><b>One of the most persistent criticisms of the planning process made by developers concerns the issue of delay. Delay can occur at any stage in the planning application process. </b><br><b>At the submission of the application stage, statutory timescales have been established for the determination of the application. Applicants can reasonably expect to receive a decision within a comparatively short timescale (eight weeks) unless they have agreed in writing with the local planning authority to extend the period. </b><br><b>Further down the application route, the legislation and guidance are not as helpful. </b><br><b>Once an appeal is made against the refusal/non-determination of the application, or the application is called in or recovered by the secretary of state, and the hearing/inquiry takes place, what can the applicant do if no decision is received? </b><br><b><b>Targets</b></b><br> The planning inspectorate has demanding targets in making decisions on planning appeals - from 16 to 30 weeks. The secretary of state does not have any such targets. It has been accepted by the court that it is understandable that there …