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Planning performance on the up
01/02/2011
New figures published today show planning applications in Scotland are being processed at a faster rate.
The percentage of local applications decided within two months between July and September last year was 67.5 per cent - an increase from 67.1 per cent for the previous three-month period.
The percentage of major applications decided within fourth months was 38.7 per cent - an increase from 32 per cent for the previous three-month period.
Infrastructure Minister Keith Brown said:
"Scotland's planning system plays an important role in delivering strong and sustainable economic growth. We are encouraged by today's figures which show improved performance with applications continuing to be processed at a faster rate, but we recognise there is more to do.
"The Scottish Government has been working with planning authorities and our agencies to accelerate the pace of reform in Scotland's planning system. Actions we have taken in recent years, including the introduction of easier to understand planning policy, simpler processes and the introduction of ePlanning, have helped speed the pace of reform.
"The challenge now is to continue building on our work to deliver a more efficient and effective planning system - one which delivers increased certainty and speed of decision making for developers and communities and continuous improvements in performance.
"With signs of improving conditions in the Scottish economy we must continue, through our economic recovery plan, to ensure that all activity on planning and regulation supports economic development, and - through greater alignment and work with planning authorities and our agencies - work to make planning an aid, not a barrier, to growth in our economy."