Planning Applications Statistics 2023/24: Quarterly (April 2023 to September 2023)

Introduction

This publication presents a summary of statistics on planning applications and timescales for decisions for April 2023 to September 2023 (Quarters 1 and 2). It is based on data collected by the Scottish Government from planning authorities. A set of tables is also produced.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

These statistics are official statistics. Official statistics are statistics that are produced by crown bodies, those acting on behalf of crown bodies, or those specified in statutory orders, as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

Scottish Government Policy Context

The key objective of the planning statistics is to allow Scottish Government and planning authorities to monitor the planning system with regard to the volume of applications submitted and timeliness of deciding those applications. These statistics form part of the wider planning performance framework (Go to Planning Performance Framework – Heads Of Planning Scotland web page).

Everyone involved in planning has a role to play in the effective delivery of the planning service. The Planning Performance Framework offers a balanced measurement of the overall quality of each planning service and is used to promote continuous improvement. The Framework captures key elements of a high-performing planning service and comprises a mix of qualitative and quantitative performance measures which show the variety of work that takes place in authorities, their cross-cutting role and the places that are created through planning and decision-making.