Out-Law News 1 min. read
03 Oct 2013, 2:24 pm
National planning performance statistics released by the Scottish Government yesterday showed that the average decision time for major applications dropped to 33.2 weeks in the first quarter of 2013, from April to June. This was four weeks quicker than the previous quarter and more than three weeks quicker than the first quarter of 2012.
The average decision time for local applications reduced to 10.5 weeks in the first quarter of 2013 from 11.9 weeks in the previous quarter.
The figures also showed a 100% success rate for major applications made using a processing agreement meeting the agreed timescale.
The Scottish Government published a 'Key Actions on Planning Reform' (6-page / 71KB PDF) document in January setting out actions to improve planning performance in Scotland. At the same time it set up the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to monitor and support such improvement.
Scottish Planning Minister Derek Mackay welcomed the figures. “Through effective early engagement between local authorities and applicants, as well as strong project management, we have managed to reduce the waiting time for builders and developers," he said in a statement. “Scotland’s planning system has, at its heart, the overriding principle of delivering sustainable economic growth as well as increasing protection for our country’s most environmentally important areas," he said.
“We have said that the changes to the planning system made over the last few years would take time to generate significant long lasting results but now we are seeing the real improvements," said COSLA's spokesperson for development, economy and sustainability Stephen Hagan.
"The information published today shows that our collective efforts are making a difference. However, planning is not just about speed of decision-making. The most important outcome must rightly be the creation of quality places which meet the needs of local communities across Scotland now and also for the longer-term,” Hagan said.
