Book excerpt: This book provides valuable guidance and insight into the key features of the town and country planning system and the process of obtaining planning permission for development of land. The text is essentially procedural in nature since it focuses on the making of planning applications and the use of appeal procedures. It also explains how to deal with enforcement problems where a breach of planning control takes place. In this fourth edition, the opportunity has been taken to provide more information on the key topics. In addition to updating and expanding the legal materials and official publications, it also includes useful practical tips on how to operate the planning system successfully. Much has changed to the content of the subject since the last edition. New materials focus on the revised planning appeal procedures implmented by the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) Regulations 2000, the Town and Country (Hearings Procedure) (England) Rules 2000, the Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000 and the Town and Country Planning Appeals (Determination by Inspectors) (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000. Appropriate references are made to DETR Circular 05/2000 - Planning Appeals Procedures.