The amount of time it takes to decide on planning applications is "one of the main blockers to the delivery of housing", according to Homes for Scotland (HfS).

New figures released today, 14 December, have revealed it takes around 48.5 weeks to decide on applications, over three times the statutory period of 16 weeks.

With annual housing completion levels still 40% below pre-recession levels, HfS Director of Planning Tammy Adams said there is an "urgent need" to get decisions "out in good time, both on planning applications and appeals".


"With today's figures showing no improvement, slow planning decisions, together with complications relating to conditions and developer contributions, continue to be one of the main blockers to the delivery of housing," she said.

"We know Ministers are not happy with current performance and that Scottish Government officials are looking at the root causes of the delays. Whilst we hope that the planning review will refocus the system and prioritise the delivery of enough new, high-quality homes to meet housing need, the truth is that we just can't wait for that.

"There is an urgent need to get decisions out in good time, both on planning applications and appeals. If this doesn't happen, the all-tenure housing crisis will only get bigger and this will be to the detriment of communities across Scotland.

"The Scottish Government is now consulting on increasing planning fees for major developments. Planning services clearly need to be properly resourced, but a fee hike will not be palatable unless there is a guarantee that performance will improve."

(LM)