Planning performance statistics: annual report 2018-2019

10. Applications by Planning Authority 

10.1. Local Developments

10.1.1. Local developments by development type

Chart 41: Local Developments by Planning Authority and Development

1. The number in brackets gives the total number of local development decisions by planning authority (excluding legacy cases and applications with processing agreements). 

For 20 planning authorities over half of decisions made on local developments without processing agreements were for householder applications. In the Cairngorms National Park there were no decisions for householder applications. The case mix may influence overall average decision times within a particular authority. For example, given that householder applications are on average decided more quickly than other types, it might be expected that overall average decision times will be lower for those planning authorities that have a higher proportion of householder applications in their case mix.

10.1.2. Local developments – average decision times

Charts 42 and 43 show average decision times for local developments without processing agreements and the percentages of decisions made in less than two months ordered by the number of decisions made for local developments in each planning authority (Annual, 2018/19: Table 4).  In total there were 25,244 decisions made on local developments not subject to processing agreements in 2017/18 with an overall average decision time of 9.0 weeks. 

Information on decision times for previous years is available within the detailed excel tables at: Planning Authority Performance Statistics 2018/19 Annual.

Chart 42: Local Developments by planning authority, 2018/19: Average decision time (weeks)

1. The number in brackets gives the total number of local development decisions by planning authority (excluding applications with processing agreements). 

The average decision time for the Cairngorms National Park (18.6 weeks for two applications) has not been shown in the above chart. It is expected that Cairngorms has a longer average decision time as they do not receive planning applications directly but are notified of applications which have been made to those planning authorities within the National Park boundaries. Cairngorms National Park may then decide to call applications in for their determination. Planning applications are likely to have already been in the system for a number of weeks before being transferred to Cairngorms National Park. In addition, Cairngorms National Park have no householder applications in their case mix for 2018/19. 

Chart 43: Local Developments by planning authority, 2017/18: Percentage under 2 months

At Scotland level the percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 75.1%. Highland made the most decisions on local developments without processing agreements (2,508) and 70.8% of these were made in less than 2 months. 

10.2. Major Developments

Cairngorms National Park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, East Renfrewshire and Na h-Eileanan Siar did not make decisions for any major developments without processing agreements in 2018/19 and are therefore not included in the charts in this section. 

10.2.1. Major developments by development type

Chart 44 shows the case mix of major developments not subject to processing agreements for each planning authority, ordered by total number of applications.

Chart 44: Major Developments by Development Type and planning authority

1. The number in brackets gives the total number of major development decisions by planning authority (excluding applications with processing agreements). Where appropriate the percentage of applications for Major housing is shown.

There were 207 decisions made for major developments without processing agreements in 2018/19. Glasgow made the most decisions (36) for major planning applications without processing agreements. 

10.2.2. Major developments – average decision times

In total there were 207 decisions made on major developments without processing agreements in 2018/19 with an overall average decision time of 32.5 weeks (Annual, 2018/19: Table 2).

Chart 45: Major Developments by planning authority, 2018/19: Average decision time (weeks)

Numbers of decisions made for major developments are very small compared to those for local developments and average decision times at local authority level are likely to be volatile. 

Due to the small numbers of major applications, especially at local authority level, average times are more variable. Fourteen local authorities have reduced their overall average decision time for major applications compared to 2017/18, while 15 have reported increases in decision times. The remaining five did not have major applications in both years. 

Information on decision times for previous years is available within the detailed excel tables at: Planning Authority Performance Statistics 2018/19 Annual.