20 things

The DCLGs quarterly planning application report

7 April 2007

• There were 149,000 planning applications in England during Q4 of 2006 – a 1 per cent increase in the corresponding quarter of 2005, according to the quarterly report from the Depertment of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
• The largest increases in planning applications came in the South West and the West Midlands, which both saw rises of 3 per cent.
• There were also increases in London and the South East of 2 per cent on the same period in 2005.

• However, there were declines in the number of applications received in the East Midlands – down 2 per cent, and the North West – down 1 per cent.
• Despite the increase in overall applications, the number of applications decided in the fourth quarter fell by 1 per cent on Q4 2005 to 141,000.
• The East Midlands saw the largest decrease in number of applications processed, with a 5 per cent drop. There were also falls in the areas of the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands, which all saw 3 per cent drops.
• However, there was in increase in the number of decisions in London – up 3 per cent, and the North East – up 1 per cent, when compared with the same period in 2005.
• Overall, 65 per cent of all planning permission applications in England during Q4 2006 – 2,577 major applications and 15,682 minor applications – were approved.

• Approval ratings by region varied widely, from 76 per cent in London to 90 per cent in the North East.
• There was also an improvement in the speed of planning permission decision, with a 4 per cent increase in the number of major development decisions occurring inside 13 weeks, compared with Q4 2005.
• On average, 70 per cent of authorities made major planning decisions within the 13-week guideline.
• There was no change in the statistics regarding minor and other applications decided within eight weeks, with 75 per cent of applications being processed.
• The number of authorities meeting the performance target in October to December 2006 compared with the same period a year ago saw a 10 per cent improvement on major applications, a 1 per cent improvement on minor applications and a 4 per cent improvement on other applications.

• Overall, 268 authorities – 73 per cent – made at least 60 per cent of their decisions on major applications within the 13-week period.
• 318 authorities – 86 per cent – made at least 65 per cent of their decisions on minor applications within the statutory eight-week period and 323 authorities – 88 per cent – made at least 80 per cent of their decisions on other applications within eight weeks.
• Overall in 2006, district authorities granted 66 per cent of major residential decisions and determined 67 per cent of them within 13 weeks.
• There were 10,415 applications in total.
• Also, 64 per cent of minor residential application decisions were granted and 70 per cent determined within eight weeks.
• Altogether, 67,149 applications were submitted to district authorities.
• The planning statistics were compiled using the data submitted by 364 of the 368 district planning authorities in England to the Department for Communities and Local Government.