The number of planning applications granted as a percentage of all major and minor schemes
How the figure is calculated:
The number of planning applications for major or minor schemes granted within the reporting period; divided by the total number of planning applications for major or minor schemes on which a decision was made within the same period; multiplied by 100.
A major development is one where the number of residential dwelling units to be constructed is 10 or more, or where the number of residential units is not given then the site area is 0.5 hectares or more. For all other uses a major development is one where the floor space to be built is 1,000 square metres or more, or where the site area is 1 hectare or more.
For dwellings, minor development is one where the number of dwellings to be constructed is between 1 and 9 inclusive, or where the site area is less than 0.5 hectares. For all other uses, a minor development is one where the floor space to be built is less than 1,000 square metres or where the site area is less than 1 hectare.
Other Developments include:
* Minerals e.g. Mineral handling installations, bricks/pottery manufacture, pipelines, conveyors
* Change of use (outside of major and minor developments), or permitted developments with change of use.
* Householder developments within the curtilage of residential e.g. extensions, alterations, garages, swimming pools, walls, fences, vehicular accesses, porches and satellite dishes.
* Advertisement displays
* Listed building consents (to alter/extend/demolish)
* Certificates of lawful development
* Notifications
Why is this indicator in the business plan?
This provides a proxy measure for the impact of the planning measures in the Growth Review. It covers the types of development that are most closely associated with growth.
How often is it updated?
Quarterly
Where does the data come from?
PSF returns from planning authorities. Published figures are in Table P131 at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-planning-application-statistics.
What area does the headline figure cover?
England
Are further breakdowns of the data available?
By local planning authority
What does a change in this indicator show?
A change in this indicator would show a change in the overall level of approvals. We would not expect this to reach 100% as this would indicate all applications being accepted. A high and consistent approval rate would indicate good performance.
Time Lag
Published within three months of the end of the reporting period.
Next available update
June 2015.
Type of Data
National Statistics
Robustness and data limitations
The returns submitted by local planning authorities undergo thorough validation and checks. Inconsistent data highlighted during validation and checks are verified by contacting the local authority. Late returns are pursued to ensure the overall response rate is as high as possible. Where a response rate of 100% is not achieved estimates are imputed for non-responding authorities.
Imputation is carried out for non-responding authorities and is calculated using historical information. The process is carried out within groups of authorities which are categorised by their location. The imputed estimates are aggregated together with information from those authorities who responded to calculate the England level information.
Links to Further Information
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government/series/planning-applications-statistics
Contact Details
CorporatePerformance@communities.gsi.gov.uk