Planning Inspectorate Performance update – April 2024
Performance and other updates following the publication of our latest official monthly statistics.
On a monthly basis, we publish the latest official statistics on appeals performance, which represent the greatest volume (in terms of number of cases) of the work of the Planning Inspectorate.
We also update the appeals handling times data to give customers the latest information on the average time it takes to receive a decision and provide an update on our other main casework areas.
Appeals
Our appeal cases are dealt with in one of three ways: written representations, hearings, or inquiries. Ministerial performance measures include an expectation to reduce average decision times over time and make our decision speeds more consistent. All our decision times are measured from the day we receive a valid appeal through to the day we issue a decision. This is the same approach as Local Planning Authorities.
We have made 18,134 appeal decisions in the last 12 months, an average of 1,511 per month. The number of decisions in March 2024 was 1,452.
March also continued the trend of closing more cases than cases received bringing the number of cases open by the end of the month to 13,264.
We’re committed to removing our casework backlog so that all our casework is decided in consistent timeframes, whilst maintaining high standards in our decisions. To help us achieve that, we’ve been deciding many older planning appeals decided by written representations. Throughout 2024 we will continue to do this so that our decisions become faster and are made in a more consistent timeframe.
After a successful trial, new appeals against enforcement notices being heard by inquiry are now following a timetable very similar to planning appeals by hearing and inquiry. This means the inquiry being held 14-18 weeks after appeal submission, and decisions starting to be issued within 26-30 weeks. We will gradually clear older enforcement notice appeals by inquiry during this year.
Median decision times
The median decision time for cases decided in March was 28 weeks. The average over the past 12 months was 30 weeks.
| 12 months to March 2024 median decision time | March 2024 median decision time | |
|---|---|---|
| Planning appeals by written representations | 29 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Planning appeals by hearing | 26 weeks | 23 weeks |
| Planning appeals by inquiry | 30 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by written representations | 52 weeks | 59 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by hearing | 66 weeks | 72 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by inquiry | 81 weeks | 91 weeks |
| All appeals (see media decision times) | 30 weeks | 28 weeks |
National Infrastructure
The number of applications has started to rise but we continue to meet all statutory deadlines.
We have a high number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) at various stages:
- 71 where we are providing advice before submission.
- 16 submitted and at acceptance, pre-examination, or examination.
- 7 where we are preparing our recommendation.
- 8 where the relevant Secretary of State is considering our recommendation.
The continuous work to examine NSIPs is key to the economic growth of the country.
Last week development consent was granted by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for the Sheringham and Dudgeon Extension Projects following an examination and recommendation by the Planning Inspectorate.
We have also announced the launch of ‘Find a National Infrastructure Project’, the new online service for national infrastructure planning.
This launch is a key step in our ongoing efforts to improve our processes in line with the government’s NSIP (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project) reform action plan. Our aim is to make it easier for everyone to participate in the NSIP process.
Local Plans
There are currently 43 live Local Plan examinations in progress.
We encourage Local Planning Authorities (LPA) to use our advisory visits to help them get their plans in good shape and deal with challenges well before submission.