Planning performance statistics: 2018-2019 midyear

2. Local Developments

Local developments include applications for changes to individual houses and smaller developments for new housing as well as applications covering areas of development such as minerals, business & industry, waste management, electricity generation, freshwater fish farming, marine finfish farming, marine shellfish farming, telecommunications, Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions (AMSCs) and other developments.

This section presents quarterly information on average timescales across all local developments, along with separate figures for the key categories of householder, housing, business and industry and other developments. Information on other categories of development is reported on an annual rather than quarterly basis.

Figures for all applications, which include legacy cases validated before 3^rd August 2009, are shown up to the end of 2016/17. From quarter one 2017/18, because of the limited number of legacy cases still being processed, figures are only shown for applications validated post 3^rd August 2009.

2.1. All Local Developments

There were 13,391 local development applications subject to average time calculations in the first six months of 2018/19, 425 fewer than in the equivalent period in 2017/18. The average decision time for these local development applications was 8.9 weeks, the same as for the equivalent period in 2017/18.

There were 6,796 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local developments decided in quarter one of 2018/19, 171 (2.5%) fewer than the 6,967 decisions in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 8.9 weeks, slightly slower than the 8.8 weeks for the same quarter in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 75.5%, down from the corresponding quarter one figure of 77.6% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Tables 3 & 4).

There were 6,595 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local developments decided in quarter two of 2018/19, 254 (3.7%) fewer than the 6,849 decisions in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 8.8 weeks, quicker by just over a day than the 9.0 weeks for the same quarter in the previous year and equalling the quickest average decision time for any previous quarter. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 75.7%, up from the corresponding quarter two figure of 74.3% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Tables 3 & 4).

In addition a number of applications were concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter one of 2018/19 there were 537 local development applications with processing agreements, 72.6% of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter two there were 514, 77.0% meeting the agreed timescales (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 1).

In quarter one local applications with processing agreements accounted for 7.3% of the decisions made for local developments, in quarter two they accounted for 7.2%.

Chart 3: All Local Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 4: All Local Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

The 2015/16 Q4 All applications figure was revised in January 2018

Chart 5: All Local Developments: Percentage of decisions within two months

There were also three Local Development pre 3rd August 2009 legacy cases concluded. Further details about legacy cases can be seen in Section 10.

Highland made the most decisions on local developments in both quarter one and quarter two. In quarter one 675 local development applications were concluded, four applications had a processing agreement and the remaining 671 had an average decision time of 8.8 weeks. 627 local development applications were concluded in quarter two, five with a processing agreement and the remaining 622 had an average decision time of 9.8 weeks (Midyear, 2018/19 – Tables 1 & 3).

2.2. Local (Non Householder) Developments

This can include applications for smaller developments for new housing as well as applications covering areas of development such as minerals, business & industry, waste management, electricity generation, freshwater fish farming, marine finfish farming, marine shellfish farming, telecommunications, Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions (AMSCs) and other developments.

There were 6,634 local non householder developments decided during the first six months of 2018/19, 182 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 6,634 local (non householder) development applications was 10.6 weeks, slightly quicker than the 10.7 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 64.9%, up from 62.7% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 3,341 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local non householder developments decided in quarter one of 2018/19, 103 (3.0%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 10.7 weeks, the same as quarter one in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 64.6%, down slightly from the corresponding quarter one figure of 64.8% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 5).

There were 3,293 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local non householder developments decided in quarter two of 2018/19, 79 (2.3%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 10.4 weeks, quicker by almost three days than the same quarter in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 65.2%, up from the corresponding quarter two figure of 60.6% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 5).

In addition a number of applications were concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter one of 2018/19 there were 406 local non householder development applications with processing agreements, 72.2% (293) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter two there were 380, 75.3% (286) meeting the agreed timescales.

There were also three Local Non Householder Development pre 3rd August 2009 legacy cases concluded. Further details about legacy cases can be seen in Section 10.

Chart 6: Local Developments (Non Householder): Number of decisions

Chart 7: Local Developments (Non Householder): Average decision time (weeks)

Chart 8: Local Developments (Non Householder): Percentage of decisions within two months

2.3. Householder Developments

These include all applications for development in the curtilage of a residential property which are not change of use, for example: extensions, alterations to garages, swimming pools, walls, fences, driveways or porches.

There were 6,757 householder developments decided during the first six months of 2018/19, 243 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 6,757 householder applications was 7.2 weeks, slightly slower than the 7.1 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 86.0%, down from 88.9% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 3,455 applications for householder developments decided in quarter one of 2018/19, 68 (1.9%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 7.2 weeks, slightly slower than the 7.0 weeks for quarter one in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 85.9%, down from the corresponding quarter one figure of 90.2% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 6).

There were 3,302 applications for householder developments decided in quarter two of 2018/19, 175 (5.0%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 7.2 weeks, the same as the equivalent quarter in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 86.1%, down from the corresponding quarter two figure of 87.5% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 6).

In addition a number of applications were concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter one of 2018/19 there were 131 householder applications with processing agreements, 74.0% (97) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter two there were 134, 82.1% (110) meeting the agreed timescales.

Chart 9: Householder Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 10: Householder Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

Chart 11: Householder Developments: Percentage of decisions within two months

2.4. Local Housing Developments

Local Housing developments are those that have less than 50 dwellings and a site area that is less than 2 hectares.

There were 2,396 local housing developments decided during the first six months of 2018/19, 51 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 2,396 local housing applications was 12.1 weeks, quicker by almost three days than the 12.5 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 57.3%, up from 53.4% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 1,221 applications for local housing developments decided in quarter one of 2018/19, three more than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 12.0 weeks, slightly quicker than the 12.2 weeks for quarter one in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 56.5%, up from the corresponding quarter one figure of 55.7% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 8).

There were 1,175 applications for local housing developments decided in quarter two of 2018/19, 54 (4.4%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 12.1 weeks, quicker by almost five days than the 12.8 weeks for quarter two in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 58.1%, up from the corresponding quarter two figure of 51.0% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 8).

In addition a number of applications were concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter one of 2018/19 there were 150 local housing applications with processing agreements, 72.7% (109) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter two there were 153, 85.6% (131) meeting the agreed timescales.

Chart 12: Local Housing Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 13: Local Housing Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

Chart 14: Local Housing Developments: Percentage of decisions within two months

2.5. Local Business and Industry Developments

Business and Industry developments include construction of a building or structure for any of the following: use as an office, for research and development of products or processes, for any industrial process or for use for storage or as a distribution centre.

To be classed as local the gross floor space as a result of the development must not exceed 10,000 square metres and the site area must be 2 hectares or less.

There were 786 local business and industry developments decided during the first six months of 2018/19, 62 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 786 local business and industry applications was 8.8 weeks, quicker by more than three days than the 9.3 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 73.0%, up from 70.0% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 399 applications for local business and industry developments decided in quarter one of 2018/19, 59 (12.9%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 8.6 weeks, quicker by almost a week than the 9.5 weeks for quarter one in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 75.9%, up from the corresponding quarter one figure of 69.9% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 10).

There were 387 applications for local business and industry developments decided in quarter two of 2018/19, three fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 9.0 weeks, slightly slower than the 8.9 weeks for quarter two in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 70.0%, down slightly from the corresponding quarter two figure of 70.3% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 10).

Chart 15: Local Business and Industry Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 16: Local Business and Industry Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

Chart 17: Local Business and Industry Developments: Percentage of decisions within two months

In addition a number of applications were concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter one of 2018/19 there were 27 local business and industry applications with processing agreements, 81.5% (22) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter two there were 34, 79.4% (27) meeting the agreed timescales.

2.6. Local Other Developments

Other Developments are developments not falling wholly within any other single class. They include but are not limited to retail, leisure and entertainment, education, healthcare, community facilities, transport interchanges, water and drainage developments and projects. This class also covers mixed use projects.

Local Other Developments are those where the gross floor space of any building, structure or erection as a result of such development is less than 5,000 square metres and the area of the site is less than 2 hectares.

There were 3,056 local other developments decided during the first six months of 2018/19, 23 more than in the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 3,056 local other developments applications was 9.4 weeks, quicker by just over two days than the 9.7 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 70.2%, up from 68.3% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 1,517 applications for local other developments decided in quarter one of 2018/19, one less than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 9.5 weeks, slightly quicker than the 9.6 weeks for quarter one in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 69.7%, down slightly from the corresponding quarter one figure of 70.2% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 12).

There were 1,539 applications for local other developments decided in quarter two of 2018/19, 24 (1.6%) more than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 9.4 weeks, quicker by just over 2 days than the 9.7 weeks for quarter two in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 70.8%, up from the corresponding quarter two figure of 66.5% in the previous year (Midyear, 2018/19 – Table 12).

Chart 18: Local Other Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 19: Local Other Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

Chart 20: Local Other Developments: Percentage of decisions within two months

In addition a number of applications were concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter one of 2018/19 there were 156 local other developments applications with processing agreements, 69.2% (108) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter two there were 141, 73.8% (104) meeting the agreed timescales.