Figures published in the latest Quarterly Development Management Bulletin reveal that DOE Planning have seen some improvement in performance compared with the same time last year.

In the first quarter of 2012/13, Planning processed major applications in an average of 26 weeks compared with an average of 28 weeks for the same time last year.

Intermediate applications were processed in an average of 21 weeks, slightly better than the average of 22 weeks last year. For minor applications the average processing time was 12 weeks, an improvement on the 13 weeks it took for the same period last year. Comparison of actual performance with the new 2012/13 targets will be made at the end of the current financial year.

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Against a backdrop of improved performance, the number of planning applications has continued to fall, with 3,233 being submitted in quarter 1 2012/13, down 17% compared to this time last year. However, the approval rate for decisions has shown a 2 percentage point increase from 92% in the equivalent quarter last year to 94% in this.

(CD)