Drop in applications received by district planning authorities

English district planning authorities received six per cent fewer planning applications in the March 2008 quarter than in the corresponding period a year ago, according to the latest official development control statistics compiled by the Government.

All regions including the National Park authorities saw a decrease in activity with the largest drop being recorded in the North East.

Nationally, authorities that undertake district level planning activity recorded a decrease of three per cent in the proportion of applications decided compared to the same period 12 months ago. However, applications determined in London increased by five per cent and by National Park Authorities by a hefty 27 per cent.

Decisions on residential development increased by three per cent during the quarter involved although the proportion of applications granted remained unchanged on the previous year.

The statistics showed that some 76 per cent of all authorities that undertake district level planning activity made at least 60 per cent of major decisions within the 13 week period. This represented a decrease of five percentage points compared with the same quarter a year ago. This was the lowest proportion since the June quarter of 2006.
 
The statistics also indicated that in the year which ended in March 2008 county level planning authorities determined 1,496 applications, the lowest since 2000/2001. However, 93 per cent of these applications were granted, the highest proportion to date.

Read the Communities and Local Government news story.

Roger Milne

3 July 2008