Inspectorate makes inroads into backlog

The Planning Inspectorate has made significant progress in reducing the backlog of appeals and inquiry decisions during 2006/07.

During those 12 months the inspectorate issued 3,210 hearings decisions, up 60 per cent on the previous year when 2,000 decisions were made.

In the case of inquiries the inspectorate issued 20 per cent more decisions during 2006/07 compared to the previous 12 months, 941 decisions as opposed to 787 during 2005/06.

The inspectorate's priority during 2006/07 was centred on hearings and inquiries. During those 12 months the inspectorate halved the average time it took to hold hearings and inquiries.

This improved performance was achieved against a backdrop of a three per cent increase in workload to 22,688 appeals received.

Chief executive Katrine Sporle has admitted that the organisation has not had much success in meeting Government targets on performance, though.

She said: "Although the achievement against ministerial targets for the year makes for less than happy reading, the fact is that it masks the fantastic recovery that we have made to reduce backlogs and speed up the process."

She added: "The Barker Review has recognised that the Inspectorate needs additional resources before we can really consolidate and improve on performance during 2007/08; in the meantime we will continue to do our level best to maintain our quality and performance."

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Roger Milne

7 June 2007