Planning Performance Update
This is the quarterly planning performance report concerning the Planning Service for the October to
December 2009 period and in particular covering the turn round of planning applications and appeal
outcomes.
Table 1A sets out performance for the third quarter of 2009/10. For the first time during the current
financial year 2 major decisions were taken, both within the 13-week period. The number of minor
decisions fell back by some 24 from the previous quarter and was the same as for the first quarter of the
financial year. 8 fewer “other” decisions were made than in the previous quarter, i.e. slightly fewer
than in the first two quarters.
In terms of speed in all three categories both Government and Council targets were comfortably
exceeded and cumulatively this remains the case, in respect of the year as a whole.
Table 1B shows quarterly figures for some of the key components of workload for the service. 287 formal
applications were received in the quarter, 6 less than in the previous quarter and pre-application
enquiries and “Do I need planning permission?” queries were both substantially lower in the quarter, in
part doubtless reflecting the normal seasonal adjustment for the Christmas period and the closure of the
offices for a substantial period.
Table 2 sets out the situation concerning planning appeals. During the quarter only 3 appeals were
determined by the Planning Inspectorate, but all 3 were dismissed. This has had the impact of improving
the cumulative performance figure for 2009/10, such that only 3 out of 19 appeals have been allowed,
i.e. less than 16%, which is less than half of the national average and better than the Council target of
20%.
In terms of staffing issues, significant time was spent during the quarter in completing the
implementation of the PROBASS project, the new system going live in stages during November. An
extension to the project, to provide increased use of electronic document management, the
implementation of a measuring tool for plans on the Council’s Planning website and a review of
processes and procedures following initial experience of using the new system, has been agreed and will
be implemented in the period up to April 2010. Whilst requiring substantial staff input in the short term,
this should substantially extend the ability of customers and consultees of the service to access
information and should lead to greater efficiencies in terms of application processing.
Steve Oxenham
Head of Planning & Building Control, Extension 6135
TABLE 1A – PLANNING PERFORMANCE
DECISIONS BY SPEED – 2008/09
MAJOR
0 – 13
WEEKS
13 + WEEKS
MINOR
0 – 8 WEEKS
TOTAL
%
8+ WEEKS
OTHERS
0 – 8 WEEKS
8+ WEEKS
15
9
363
190
782
130
62.50%
37.50%
65.64%
34.36%
85.75%
14.25%
DECISIONS BY SPEED – QUARTER 2009/10
MAJOR
0 – 13 WEEKS 13 + WEEKS
MINOR
0 – 8 WEEKS
8+ WEEKS
OTHERS
0 – 8 WEEKS
8+ WEEKS
TOTAL
2
0
70
18
160
17
%
100%
0%
79.55%
20.45%
90.40%
9.60%
DECISIONS BY SPEED – CUMULATIVE 2009/10
MAJOR
0 – 13 WEEKS 13 + WEEKS
MINOR
0 – 8 WEEKS
8+ WEEKS
OTHERS
0 – 8 WEEKS
8+ WEEKS
TOTAL
2
0
228
60
497
47
%
100%
0%
79.17%
20.83%
91.36%
8.64%
TARGETS –
COUNCIL
GOVERNMENT 60%
60%
65%
72%
80%
85%
TABLE 1B – WORKLOAD
2008/09
Applications submitted
Pre-Application Inquiries
Do I need Planning Permission?
1415
444
343
Applications submitted
Pre-Application Inquiries
Do I need Planning Permission?
287
91
47
Applications submitted
Pre-Application Inquiries
Do I need Planning Permission?
897
351
232
QUARTER 3 2009/10
CUMULATIVE 2009/10
TABLE 2 - PLANNING APPEAL DECISIONS
Year ending
31 March 2005
Year ending
31 March 2006
Year ending
31 March 2007
Year ending
31 March 2008
Year ending 31
March 2009
Quarter 3
2009/10
Cumulative
2009/10
Allowed
Dismissed
Total
11 (28.2%)
28
39
8 (16.7%)
40
48
9 (20.9%)
34
43
8 (22.2%)
28
36
6 (11.8%)
45
51
0 (0%)
3 (100%)
3
3 (15.79%)
16 (84.21%)
19
Council target for 2009/10 = 20%