Major planning applications taking more than double statutory target of 30 weeks
THE average time for processing major planning applications here was more than double the statutory target of 30 weeks between April and June, it has emerged.
Statistics from the Department for Infrastructure, which is led by permanent secretary Peter May, revealed it took an average of 68 weeks across all councils to process major bids during the first quarter.
It represents an increase of nearly seven weeks from the 61 weeks reported for the first quarter last year.
The 37 major applications submitted during the first quarter represented just 1.1% of the 3,254 applications received. The
total was 2% down on the same period last year.
Most applications were submitted to Belfast City Council (500), followed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (356), and Newry, Mourne and Down (351).
Some 3,002 planning appli- cations were decided between April and June, down 9% on the same period last year. However, it marked an increase of 6% on the previous quarter.
Across the 11 councils it took, on average, just over 15 weeks to process local applications to decision or withdrawal, similar to the average time taken in the first quarter of 2017/18.
Five of the 11 councils were within the 15-week target. The shortest average processing time for applications was just over six weeks in Mid and East Antrim.
The longest was nearly 24 weeks in Causeway Coast and Glens.
The approval rate for all planning applications for the quarter was 94%, similar to the rate for the previous quarter.