Planning performance statistics: 2018-2019 yearend

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 without processing agreements, 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 applications including 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 11,854 local development applications subject to average time calculations in the last six months of 2018/19, 550 fewer than in the same period in 2017/18. The average decision time for these local development applications was 9.1 weeks, slightly quicker than the 9.2 weeks for the equivalent period in 2017/18.

There were 6,155 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, 389 (5.9%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 8.8 weeks, quicker than the 9.1 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 76.8%, up from the corresponding quarter three figure of 71.7% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Tables 3 & 4).

There were 5,699 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 161 (2.7%) fewer than the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 9.4 weeks, slightly slower than the 9.3 weeks for the same quarter in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 72.3%, down slightly from the corresponding quarter four figure of 72.6% in the previous year (Year End, 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 three of 2018/19 there were 546 local development applications with processing agreements, 80.2% of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 538, 76.6% meeting the agreed timescales (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 1).

In quarter three local applications with processing agreements accounted for 8.1% of the decisions made for local developments, in quarter four they accounted for 8.6%.

Chart 3: All Local Developments: Number of decisions

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

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.

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 and 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 6,129 local non householder developments decided during the last six months of 2018/19, 414 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these applications was 10.9 weeks, slightly slower than the 10.8 weeks for the same period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 63.4%, up from 62.5% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 3,111 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local non householder developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, 349 (10.1%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 10.7 weeks, the same as quarter three in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 65.8%, up from the corresponding quarter three figure of 61.6% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 5).

There were 3,018 applications (excluding legacy cases) for local non householder developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 65 (2.1%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 11.2 weeks, slower by two days than the same quarter in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 60.9%, down from the corresponding quarter four figure of 63.4% in the previous year (Year End, 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 three of 2018/19 there were 401 local non householder development applications with processing agreements, 78.8% (316) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 359, 78.3.0% (281) 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 5,725 householder developments decided during the last six months of 2018/19, 136 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these householder applications was 7.2 weeks, two days quicker than the 7.5 weeks for the same period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 86.7%, up from 82.9% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 3,044 applications for householder developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, 40 (1.3%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 7.0 weeks, slightly quicker than the 7.3 weeks for quarter three in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 88.1%, up from the corresponding quarter three figure of 83.0% in the previous year (Year End 2018/19 – Table 6).

There were 2,681 applications for householder developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 96 (3.5%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 7.4 weeks, slightly quicker than the 7.6 weeks for the same quarter in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 85.2%, up from the corresponding quarter four figure of 82.7% in the previous year (Year End, 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 three of 2018/19 there were 145 householder applications with processing agreements, 84.1% (122) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 179, 73.2% (131) 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 2,252 local housing developments decided during the last six months of 2018/19, 69 fewer than the same period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 2,252 applications was 12.7 weeks, almost a week slower than the 11.8 weeks for the same period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 56.0%, down slightly from 56.4% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 1,169 applications for local housing developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, 42 fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 12.3 weeks, more than four days slower than the 11.7 weeks for quarter three in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 59.8%, up from the corresponding quarter three figure of 54.3% in the previous year (Year End, 8/19 – Table 8).

There were 1,083 applications for local housing developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 27 fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 13.2 weeks, more than a week slower than the 12.0 weeks for quarter four in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 51.9%, down from the corresponding quarter four figure of 58.8% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 8).

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

In addition, applications were also concluded that were subject to processing agreements, these are not included in average time calculations. In quarter three of 2018/19 there were 194 local housing applications with processing agreements, 77.8% (151) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 169, 75.7% (128) meeting the agreed timescales.

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 691 local business and industry developments decided during the last six months of 2018/19, 70 fewer than the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these applications was 9.6 weeks, slightly quicker than the 9.8 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 67.0%, down from 68.7% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 372 applications for local business and industry developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, 59 (6.5%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 9.2 weeks, a week quicker than in quarter three in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 70.2%, up from the corresponding quarter three figure of 67.3% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 10).

There were 319 applications for local business and industry developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 44 (12.1%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 10.0 weeks, slower than the 9.5 weeks for quarter four in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 63.3%, down from the corresponding quarter four figure of 70.2% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 10).

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 three of 2018/19 there were 31 local business and industry applications with processing agreements, 80.6% (25) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 21, 90.5% (19) meeting the agreed timescales.

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

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 2,804 local other developments decided during the last six months of 2018/19, 144 (4.9%) fewer than in the same period in the previous year. The average decision time for these applications was 9.8 weeks, slightly quicker than the 10.0 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 67.9%, up from 66.0% for the corresponding six month period in the previous year.

There were 1,408 applications for local other developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, 138 (8.9%) fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 9.7 weeks, quicker than the 10.0 weeks for quarter three in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 69.5%, up from the corresponding quarter three figure of 65.0% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 12).

There were 1,396 applications for local other developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, six fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 10.0 weeks, the same as quarter four in the previous year. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 66.4%, down slightly from the corresponding quarter four figure of 67.0% in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 12).

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 three of 2018/19 there were 137 local other developments applications with processing agreements, 80.3% (110) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 132, 76.5% (101) meeting the agreed timescales.

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

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