Reasons for delays with planning applications for housing
Research identifying the main reasons for delay with applications for housing which have taken over one year to conclude.
2 Introduction
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 The Scottish Government appointed Ironside Farrar to deliver the Research Project: Reasons for Delay with Planning Applications for Housing. The aim of this research was to identify and investigate the reasons for delays that arise when applications for housing are decided.
2.2 Background to the Research Project Review
2.2.1 The Scottish Government publishes decision making timescales on a quarterly and annual basis for all planning applications (applications which are subject to a processing agreement are reported separately). The statistics can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Publications.
2.2.2 In 2012-13 reporting on average timescales for reaching decisions on planning applications was introduced rather than solely reporting on whether applications were decided within the statutory timescales of 2 months for local applications and 4 months for major applications.
2.2.3 The results from the reporting have highlighted that there are a small number of cases being decided which are significantly affecting the average timescales. To help address this issue the then Minister for Local Government and Planning asked authorities to focus on removing cases which were over a year old from the system. In the first two Quarters of 2017-18 there were 101 planning applications (23 Major Applications and 79 Local Applications) for housing which took longer than a year to conclude.
2.3 Aim and Objectives
2.3.1 The aim of this research is to identify and investigate the reasons for delays that arise with deciding planning applications for housing.
2.3.2 The objectives set by the Scottish Government were to:
- investigate the issues and causes for delay which have led to major and local planning applications for housing in 2017 / 18 taking over a year to be decided.
- set out the reasons for delay for each individual case based on the information provided by applicants and authorities.
- produce a report on the key reasons / issues which have caused decision making delays across Scotland. The report should include, quantitative information but should not comment on individual cases. It is important to ensure there is quantitative information on who was responsible for delays as well as the reasons why – this may include:
- issues such as delays in decision making by elected members
- delays due to planning authority officer availability / staffing levels
- delays waiting on supporting information
- delays with the drafting / signing of legal agreements, or
- where the applicant has asked for a delay in decision making.
- findings should also be presented as illustrative timelines for cases showing where in the process the delays have arisen.
2.4 Research Methods
2.4.1 The following methodological approach was taken during the research, consisting of both primary and secondary research.
Table 1: Methodology
| Stage 1 |
|
|---|---|
| 1 |
Stage 1a - Inception and Review Meet with Client Group to discuss and agree programme of work, main aims, strategic vision and work programme. |
| 2 |
Stage 1b - Desk Based Data Collection Gather information on the reasons for delays that arise with deciding planning applications for housing. |
| Stage 2 |
|
| 3 |
Gather and analyse detailed information on who was responsible for delays as well as the reasons why from local authority / applicant experience of specific cases they have been involved with. |
| 4 |
Stage 2a - Planning Authority Consultation Questionnaire and telephone calls undertaken where assumptions of the reason for delay could not be made from the planning portal:
|
| 5 |
Stage 2b - Applicant / Agent Consultation Questionnaire and telephone calls undertaken for those applications where assumptions of the reason for delay could not be made from the portal:
|
| Stage 3 |
|
| 6 |
Produce a final version of the review for approval and finalisation by the Client Group. The output to be a written report covering the aims and objectives of this project, including an executive summary and conclusions and interpretation of information where relevant. |
| 7 |
Stage 3a - Delivery of Draft Report Preparation and circulation of the draft report. |
| 8 |
Stage 3b - Submission of Final Report 1. Incorporate comments on draft received from Client Group |
2.5 Report Structure
2.5.1 The report is structured as follows:
Section 3 Stage 1 and Stage 2 Outputs and Analysis (Desk Based and Consultation)
Section 4 Conclusions
Contact
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback