Planning performance statistics: 2018-2019 yearend

3. Major Developments

Major developments include applications for developments of 50 or more homes, as well as other applications covering areas of development such as minerals, housing, business & industry, waste management, electricity generation, freshwater fish farming, marine finfish farming, marine shellfish farming and other developments. Classification between local and major developments depends on the particular development type. For example, housing developments are classed as major when the application is for 50 or more dwellings or for a site that exceeds two hectares, whereas electricity generation is classed as major when the capacity of the generating station is or exceeds 20 megawatts.

Details for the classification of all development types can be found here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/278390/0083657.pdf.

This section presents quarterly information on average timescales for applications without processing agreements across all major developments, along with separate figures for the key categories of housing, business and industry and other developments. Information on other detailed categories of major developments 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.

The time taken to make decisions on major applications can vary greatly between individual applications so average figures based on a small number of applications can be volatile.

3.1. All Major Developments

There were 97 major development applications (excluding legacy cases) subject to average time calculations in the last six months of 2018/19, 29 fewer than in the same period in 2017/18. The average decision time for these applications was 29.8 weeks, more than a week quicker than the 31.2 weeks for the same period in 2017/18.

There were 58 applications (excluding legacy cases) for major developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, five fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time for these applications was 26.5 weeks, more than a week quicker than the 27.7 weeks for the same quarter in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 2).

There were 39 applications (excluding legacy cases) for major developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 24 fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time for these 39 applications was 34.8 weeks, the same as quarter four in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 2).

Chart 21: All Major Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 22: All Major Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

The average decision time figures for quarters three and four have been influenced by a number of lengthier decision times, including 12 decision times of longer than a year – seven in quarter three and five in quarter four. Two of the five in quarter four had decision times of longer than two years.

60% (35 of 58) of major development applications decided in quarter three were decided in a time that was quicker than the quarter three average. In quarter four 64% (25 of 39) were decided in a time quicker than the average for that quarter.

Further information on the distribution of decision times for major development applications is given in Annex A.

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 28 major development applications with processing agreements, 78.6% (22) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 26, 73.1% (19) meeting the agreed timescales (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 1).

In quarter three major applications with processing agreements accounted for 32.6% of all major development decisions, in quarter four they accounted for 40.0%.

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

Glasgow City made most decisions on major developments in the last six months of 2018/19; 24 in total. In quarter three they concluded 17 major development applications with an average decision time of 20.0 weeks. Seven major development applications were concluded by Glasgow City in quarter four, with an average decision time of 19.0 weeks (Year End, 2018/19 – Tables 1 & 2).

3.2. Major Housing Developments

Major Housing developments are those with 50 or more dwellings or with a site area that is or exceeds 2 hectares where the predominant use is for housing.

There were 46 major housing developments subject to average decision time calculations decided during the last six months of 2018/19, 18 fewer than in the same period in the previous year. The average decision time for these 46 applications was 32.9 weeks, more than three weeks quicker than the 36.0 weeks for the equivalent period in the previous year.

There were 28 applications for major housing developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, three fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 30.0 weeks, almost four weeks quicker than the 33.8 weeks for quarter three in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 7).

There were 18 applications for major housing developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, 15 fewer than in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 37.3 weeks, almost a week quicker than the 38.1 weeks for quarter four in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 7).

Chart 23: Major Housing Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 24: Major Housing Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

Average figures based on a small number of applications can be volatile. In quarter three five Major Housing applications had decision times of more than one year. In quarter four, two Major Housing applications had decision times of more than one year the longest taking 2.7 years. For further detail on the distribution of decision times for major housing see Annex A.

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 15 major housing applications with processing agreements, 66.7% (10) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 14, 78.6% (11) meeting the agreed timescales.

3.3. Major Business and Industry

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 major the gross floor space as a result of the development must exceed 10,000 square metres or the site area must exceed 2 hectares.

There were 12 major business and industry developments subject to average decision time calculations decided during the last six months of 2018/19, one less than the same period in the previous year. The average decision time was 25.2 weeks, more than 2 weeks quicker than the 27.3 weeks for the same period in the previous year.

There were eight applications for major business and industry developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, two more then in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 13.4 weeks, more than 20 weeks quicker than the 34.0 weeks for the same period in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 9).

There were four applications for major business and industry developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19. The average decision time was 48.9 weeks. more than 27 weeks slower than the 21.5 weeks for the same period in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 9).

Average figures based on a small number of applications can be volatile. In quarter four one major other development application had a decision time of 2.8 years. The average decision time of 48.9 weeks was significantly influenced by this single application with a long decision time. The average decision time for the remaining three applications was 17.2 weeks. For further detail on the distribution of decision times for major other developments see Annex A.

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 there was one major business and industry application with a processing agreement which met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were three, two of these meeting the agreed timescales.

Chart 25: Major Business and Industry Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 26: Major Business and Industry Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

3.4. Major 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.

Major Other developments are where the gross floor space of any building, structure or erection as a result of such development is or exceeds 5,000 square metres or the area of the site is or exceeds 2 hectares.

There were 29 major other developments subject to average decision time calculations decided during the first six months of 2018/19, eleven fewer than in the equivalent period in the previous year. The average decision time for these applications was 23.2 weeks, more than four weeks quicker than the 27.6 weeks for the same period in the previous year.

There were 19 applications for major other developments decided in quarter three of 2018/19, one less than the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 26.0 weeks, more than five weeks slower than the 20.8 weeks for quarter three in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 11).

There were 10 applications for major other developments decided in quarter four of 2018/19, half of the number in the same quarter in the previous year. The average decision time was 17.8 weeks, more than 16 weeks quicker than the 34.4 weeks for quarter four in the previous year (Year End, 2018/19 – Table 11).

Average figures based on a small number of applications can be volatile. In quarter three there were two major other development applications with decision times of more than a year. The average decision time of 26.0 weeks was significantly influenced by these two applications with long decision times. The average decision time for the remaining 17 applications was 20.1 weeks. For further detail on the distribution of decision times for major other developments see Annex A.

Chart 27: Major Other Developments: Number of decisions

Chart 28: Major Other Developments: Average decision time (weeks)

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 eight major other developments applications with processing agreements, 87.5% (7) of these applications met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were seven, 57.1% (4) meeting the agreed timescales.