The DCLG has released figures relating to the number of planning applications made in the second quarter of this year
New figures have been released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) relating to the number of planning applications made during the second quarter of 2016.
According to the figures, district level planning authorities in England received 132,000 planning applications between April and June 2016. This was up seven per cent when compared to the same quarter in 2015.
Furthermore, 100,900 applications were granted permission—a rise of six per cent compared to Q2 2015. This is the equivalent of 88 per cent of decisions, which remains unchanged from the same period the year before.
The statistics also showed an increase in the number of applications dealt with within 13 weeks or the agreed time, rising from 70 per cent to 83.
The number of residential applications granted saw growth, rising eight per cent compared to a year earlier. This meant 12,200 applications were approved.
During April to June, 11,900 applications for prior approval for permitted development rights were received. This was a seven per cent rise when compared to a year earlier. Figures also showed 9,700 of those applications gained approval without having to go through the full planning process—up eight per cent.
In the year ending June 2016, district level planning authorities granted 378,200 decisions, up four per cent on the previous year, and granted 47,600 decisions on residential developments, up six per cent on the previous year.
However, local planning authorities granted 22,000 fewer applications in Q2 2016 when compared to Q2 2006.
Andrew Bridges, Managing Director of London estate agency Stirling Ackroyd, said: “These figures show the Government is failing to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to housing.
“The sluggish growth in the approval of residential applications will not be enough to enable a million new homes to be built by 2020.
“Local authorities are still granting fewer applications than a decade ago, despite the Government’s highly publicised housebuilding agenda.
“While councils are granting 88 per cent of all decisions, it’s concerning this proportion varies wildly in different local planning authorities.
“Given the serve shortage of homes across the UK, we can’t afford for some councils to only grant a quarter of applications for major developments.
“The Chancellor must do more to support housebuilders and the construction sector, if we are to have any hope of fixing the housing crisis.
“Additional help to unblock stalled sites and incentives to build-out existing permissions will enable housebuilders to step up supply. We can’t afford to allow this pre-Brexit stagnation in the creation of new homes to continue if we want to stop house prices from spiralling out of control.”
For the full report visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/553100/Planning_Applications_April_to_June_2016.pdf
