Outstanding planning performance
(Date of issue: Wednesday, 24 June 2009)
Carlisle Planners have reason to celebrate the half yearly
Planning Performance Checklist of local authorities’ handling of
planning applications that has recently been published showing
Carlisle as the 69th best planning authority in the country.
The performance checklist shows at a glance how local planning
authorities are reaching decisions on planning applications in the
year ending September 2008. The Checklist shows performance against
the three handling targets set from 1 April 2002 with the emphasis
on the need for timely handling of major applications.
The targets for handling applications are as follows:
- 60 per cent of major residential, commercial and industrial
applications to be determined within 13 weeks;
- 65 per cent of minor residential, commercial and industrial
applications to be determined within 8 weeks;
- 80 per cent of all other applications to be determined within 8
weeks.
The City Council improved its performance in dealing with major
planning applications by 19% between the year ending March 2008 and
the year ending in September 2008. Performance rose from 63.2% to
82.3% and was the joint third biggest improvement in the Country.
(The national target is 60% of major applications to be determined
in 13 weeks.)
Carlisle performed as follows by year end 31 March 2008:
The Council received 62 major applications, with 82% of those
being decided in under 13 weeks, 339 minor applications were
received, with 73% being decided in less than 8 weeks and 705 other
applications were received, with 86% being decided in under 8
weeks.
Quote:
Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham portfolio holder for Environment
and Infrastructure said:
‘’This outstanding performance is to be welcomed.
To be third best improved planning authority nationally, now ranked
69th in the country for major applications, and processing 82% of
applications in under the 13 weeks required by government is an
outstanding achievement. We have continued to build on our
performance and our 19% improvement on last year has only been
achieved through the hard work and dedication of our staff and
their commitment to ensuring they provide the best possible service
to the residents of Carlisle.’’