Report of Targets Working Group: Planning Services: Page 1

Report of Targets Working Group: Planning Services

Introduction

1. The first Annual Report of the Planning Audit Unit (PAU) indicated that many planning authorities were concerned about the current performance targets for determining planning applications as presented in Box 1.

BOX 1

Development Control Performance

There is a statutory requirement for local authorities to determine all planning applications within 2 months. If necessary, an extended period may be agreed with the applicant.

The Government has set the following performance targets for determining planning applications within 2 months:

At least 80% of all applications,

90% of householder applications, and

85% of minor business and industry, and other minor development applications.

The Report made it clear that the Government was firmly committed to the general target that 80% of planning applications should be determined within 2 months. A commitment was, however, given to discuss the issue of performance targets with COSLA and the Accounts Commission. To this end a Working Group with representatives from City of Glasgow, Dundee City, Inverclyde, Perth and Kinross and West Lothian Councils and COSLA was set up. This report, which has also been discussed with the Accounts Commission, reflects the views of the Working Group. It does not necessarily represent the views of the local authorities represented, COSLA or the Scottish Executive.