Housing decisions made quicker than previous year

Planning decision times for major and local housing developments over the last quarter of 2015 were faster on average compared to the equivalent quarter the previous year, according to new figures.

Statistics on quarterly planning performance in Scotland, published by the Scottish Government, revealed that in quarter three (October to December) of 2015/16 there were 27 decisions made on major housing developments with an average decision time of 35.3 weeks. This was slower by almost one week than the previous quarter (34.4 weeks) but over 14 weeks quicker than the equivalent quarter in 2014/15 (49.7 weeks).

For the 1,432 decisions made on local housing developments the average decision time of 13.6 weeks was almost 4 days slower than the previous quarter (13.1 weeks) but 2 days quicker than the equivalent quarter in 2014/15 (13.9 weeks).

There were a further nine major housing applications concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, of which eight (89 per cent) met the agreed timescale that had been set between the developer and the local authority. There were also a further 39 local housing applications concluded that were subject to separate processing agreements, of which 23 (59 per cent) met the agreed timescale.

Key Findings for Quarter 3 of 2015/16:

The overall average decision time for all local developments was similar to the previous quarter, but quicker than the equivalent quarters in previous years.

Excluding pre 3rd-August 2009 cases results are:

The average decision time for local housing developments was almost four days slower than the previous quarter, but quicker than the equivalent quarters in previous years.

The overall average decision time for all major developments was more than four and a half weeks slower than the previous quarter, but quicker than the equivalent quarters in previous years.

Excluding pre 3rd-August 2009 cases results are:

The average decision time for major housing developments was almost one week slower than the previous quarter, but quicker than the equivalent quarters in the previous two years.

There were 27 decisions made on major housing developments decided during quarter three of 2015/16. The average decision time for these major housing developments was 35.3 weeks, almost one week slower than the previous quarter (34.4 weeks) but more than 14 weeks quicker than the equivalent quarter in 2014/15 (49.7 weeks).

These figures exclude pre 3rd August 2009 cases.

Local developments include applications for household extensions and loft conversions etc, smaller housing and retail developments, as well as various other types of local developments.

Major developments include applications for developments of 50 or more homes, as well as certain waste, water, transport and energy-related developments, larger retail developments, and other types of major developments.

The overall rate of approvals for all types of application was 94.0 per cent in the period October to December 2015, the same as the previous quarter (94.0 per cent) but an increase compared to the equivalent quarter three in 2014/15 (93.1 per cent).