Responding to the publication of latest Scottish Government statistics showing improvements in the time taken to decide major housing developments compared with the previous year - from 41.3 weeks to 40.0 weeks in 2015/16, industry body Homes for Scotland’s (HFS) Head of Planning Tammy Adams (right) said:

“These statistics provide a useful barometer on the overall performance of local planning authorities in terms of how long they are taking to issue decisions on planning applications. But these headline figures can only tell us so much.

“The fact remains that our members continue to experience frustrating delays to planning decisions across Scotland and HFS therefore echoes the Minister’s view that more needs to be done on improving performance. 

“It is crucial that this is looked at across the piece. Section 75 negotiations (on what developer contributions are required) can double the amount of time it takes to issue a decision. Once a decision has been issued, the delivery of much-needed new homes can be further delayed as developers await yet more decisions relating to planning conditions. And, at present, if permission is refused or decisions are not forthcoming, the appeal system is struggling to cope with the current volume of cases.

“The on-going review of the planning system provides an opportunity to address these and other key issues in order to create circumstances which better support an increase in housing delivery across all tenures. HFS remains committed to playing a positive and full part in that work.”