Planning decision times published

Latest quarterly statistics on planning applications decided in July to September 2016 show that the average decision time for local developments was faster than the equivalent quarter in the previous year, but that the average decision time for major developments was slower.

Statistics on quarterly planning performance in Scotland have been released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

In quarter two (July to September) of 2016/17 there were 6,684 decisions made on local developments, with an average decision time of 9.1 weeks. This was slower by one day compared with the previous quarter (8.9 weeks), but quicker by almost 4 days when compared to the equivalent quarter in the previous year (9.6 weeks), and is the quickest average time for quarter two since the start of this data collection in 2012/13.

For the 48 decisions made on major developments the average decision time was 44.8 weeks. This was more than 5 weeks slower than the previous quarter (39.3 weeks) and the slowest average decision time since the start of this data collection in quarter one of 2012/13.

The average time figures quoted in this Statistical News Release exclude any applications concluded through the use of a processing agreement between the developer and the local authority, where an agreement on timescales for decisions can be made either at the beginning of the application process or at a later stage.

Key Findings for Quarter 2 (July to September) of 2016/17:

The overall average decision time for all local developments was slower than the previous quarter but quicker than the equivalent quarter two figures in each of the previous four years.

• For applications subject to average time calculations and excluding one pre 3rd-August 2009 legacy case there were 6,684 decisions made on local applications decided during quarter two of 2016/17. The overall average decision time for these local developments was 9.1 weeks, slower than the previous quarter (8.9 weeks), but quicker by almost 4 days compared to the equivalent quarter in 2015/16 (9.6 weeks), and is the quickest average time for quarter two since the start of this data collection in 2012/13.

• For quarter two in 2016/17 the percentage of local development decisions made in less than two months was 76.3%, lower than 78.0% in the previous quarter but higher than the equivalent quarter two percentages in each of the previous four years.

• In addition, there were 318 local developments decided in the second quarter of 2016/17 that had processing agreements in place, with 83% of these meeting agreed timescales.

The average decision time for local housing developments was slower by one day compared to the previous quarter, but quicker than the equivalent quarter two figures in each of the previous four years.

• Excluding one pre 3rd-August 2009 legacy case there were 1,245 decisions made on local housing applications decided during quarter two of 2016/17. The average decision time for these local housing developments was 12.6 weeks, slower by one day compared to the previous quarter (12.5 weeks) but over three days quicker than the equivalent quarter in 2015/16 (13.1 weeks), and the quickest average time for quarter two since the start of this data collection in 2012/13.

• In addition, there were 124 local housing applications that were subject to processing agreements with 102 (82%) of these meeting agreed timescales.

The overall average decision time for all major developments was over five weeks slower than the previous quarter and the slowest average decision time since the start of this data collection in quarter one of 2012/13.

• For applications subject to average time calculations there were a total of 48 major applications decided during the second quarter of 2016/17 and the average decision time was 44.8 weeks, over five weeks slower than the previous quarter (39.3 weeks) and the slowest average decision time since the start of this data collection in quarter one of 2012/13.
• The average time figure of 44.8 weeks has been influenced by two very lengthy decision times (3.8 years and 5.4 years). Without these two applications the average decision time would be 36.2 weeks. Almost 73% of the 48 major development applications were decided in a time that was quicker than the average.
• In addition there were 17 major applications that were subject to processing agreements with 100% of these meeting agreed timescales

The average decision time for major housing developments was slower by one day compared to the previous quarter, and slower than the equivalent quarter two figures in each of the previous four years.

• There were 19 decisions made on major housing developments decided during quarter two of 2015/16. The average decision time for these major housing developments was 48.5 weeks, slower by one day compared to the previous quarter (48.3 weeks) and slower by more than 14 weeks compared to quarter two in 2015/16 (34.4 weeks).
• In addition, there were ten major housing applications that were subject to processing agreements with 100% of these meeting agreed timescales.

Local developments include applications for household extensions and loft conversions etc, smaller housing and retail developments, as well as various other types of local developments.

Major developments include applications for developments of 50 or more homes, as well as certain waste, water, transport and energy-related developments, larger retail developments, and other types of major developments.

The overall rate of approvals for all types of application was 94.6% in the period July to September 2016, an increase from the previous quarter (94.0%), and the highest approval rate since the since the start of this data collection in quarter one of 2012/13.

The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Background

The figures presented in this Statistical News Release exclude pre 3rd August 2009 cases and applications subject to separate processing agreements. Also, some applications exclude time periods in which particular delays have been outwith the control of planning authorities. Further information on these types of applications is available in the full statistical publication.

The full statistical publication along with excel web tables can be accessed at:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Publications

The publication contains a range of quarterly trend information on average decision times by development types and information on delegation and approval rates, appeals and local reviews, and enforcement activity.

It is based on quarterly data collected by the Scottish Government from Local and Planning Authorities as part of the Planning Performance Framework, which came into effect from April 2012.

We would be grateful for your views on the format and content of this publication, or if you have any suggestions for improvements that we could build into future versions. Please provide us with feedback by emailing us at planstats@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

More information on the Planning Performance Framework is available at:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Roles/Scottish-Government/Service-Improvement

Official statistics are produced in accordance with professional standards – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About