Report of Targets Working Group: Planning Services

Targets Working Group:

Summary of Findings/Recommendations

The Group's main findings and recommendations are:

• The Planning Statistics Return needs to be reviewed and clearer guidance provided on completing it.
• The GDPO should define more precisely when the processing time for handling planning applications should start/stop.
• Planning Authorities should be given powers to withdraw planning applications in certain circumstances.
• Performance targets for (minor) business and industry and other minor development should be dropped.
• New performance targets for the % of applications to be determined in 3 months and for major applications should be introduced.
• For major applications planning authorities should aim to agree a timetable for processing with the applicant.
• Achieving quality in new development is a key objective of the development control service. It is a subject better suited to examples than indicators but more needs to be done to raise the profile of quality in development control.
• The Scottish Executive should provide regular feedback on the information from the Planning Statistics Returns.
• The arrangements for notifying planning applications associated with listed buildings need to be reviewed.
• COSLA will investigate the possibility of a seminar on benchmarking.