Local authority delivery of planning services is showing continuing improvement, according to the latest evaluation of the Planning Delivery Grant (PDG).
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) found that the grant, valued at £155m for 2005/06, is being used increasingly to help in the creation of Local Development Frameworks and to improve the quality of the whole planning service.
The funding, which seeks to stimulate local planning authorities to process applications as swiftly and effectively as possible, is being used to invest in IT and staff across the country.
There has been a high retention rate of the grants both in local planning authorities (94%) and in county councils (91%).
A further study found that the private sector feels that local planning authorities have made improvements in the processing of planning applications, although more work should be undertaken.
The introduction next year of the Standard Application Form and revised guidance on how to validate planning applications will help to bring more clarity to the process.
DCLG minister Angela Smith said: “It is excellent to see so many planning departments making full and effective use of the PDG.
“The funding is helping councils and local authorities across the country to invest in staff and IT, raising standards in the quality of service offered as well as the speed of delivery.
“I would like to assure local authorities, businesses and other users of the planning system that we are listening to their concerns and that we are taking note of where and why services get better.
“By working together, we can ensure that the PDG will continue to offer benefits and improvements to the planning system”.
The evaluation was commissioned by the DCLG and was undertaken by Addison and Associates, in association with Arup.
Data for the study findings were collected from a survey of all district and county councils, of which 60% responded, and from ongoing case-studies involving thirty-five local authorities.
The evaluation and full reports of the PDG for this and previous years can be found on the DCLG website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501902
References: EGi News 14/09/06
