The approval rate of planning applications in Scotland continues to rise.

The rate of approval for the quarter April to June 2012 was 94.1%, an increase on the previous quarter’s 91.3% and on the 93.1% in the equivalent quarter in 2011

The news came as Scotland’s Chief Statistician released the latest information on planning performance.

The report found the number of planning applications decided by planning authorities in the quarter from April to June 2012 was 9,751 - an increase from 9,450 in the previous quarter.


A total of 11,772 applications were received during the period.

The average decision time for local applications was 12.7 weeks and 63 weeks for the 91 major applications.

There were 3,761 householder applications within the quarter. 86.9% of these were decided within two months. The overall average decision time was 8 weeks.

Applications that were decided within two months took an average of 6.8 weeks. Applications which took more than two months were decided within an average of 16.1 weeks.

Of the remaining 4,052 local applications 54.8% were decided within two months. The overall average decision time was 17 weeks.

The average time taken for applications that took less than two months was 7.1 weeks. Applications taking longer than two months took 29.0 weeks.

The report also found there were 41 major housing applications, taking on average 76.8 weeks for a decision to be issued.

The 21 major business and industry applications took on average 45.8 weeks for a decision to be issued.

(IT)