The Planning Inspectorate has begun consulting on a pilot project designed to investigate ways to speed up the planning appeals process. "It's crucial that we deal with planning appeals quickly and correctly. We want to ensure that cases that do not need a full hearing could be fairly and effectively handled by means of written representations,” said Inspectorate chief exec Katrine Sporle. "Hearings were originally intended to be a more cost effective and less formal alternative to inquiries. But over recent years the popularity of hearings has increased, so that they are now being chosen (principally by appellants/agents) where written representations would have resulted in the same quality of decision. "The important factor is that all appeals are dealt with on their merits and fairly. The outcome will depend on how convincing the Inspector finds the planning arguments, not the method of their presentation." Comments on the consultation paper, Achieving Best Value in the Appeals Process: A Pilot Project, will be received until June 30.