Performance update – April 2023
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 Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) use for application times.
The median decision time for cases decided in March 2023 was 29 weeks. We made 17,332 appeal decisions in the last 12 months at an average of 1,444 per month. We decided 1,668 cases in March 2023, 224 more than the monthly average over the last 12 months.
In March 2023, the number of cases closed (1,860) was almost exactly the same as the number of cases received (1,861). At the end of March, we had 14,086 open cases.
There were 1,519 written representations decisions in March 2023 which is the highest number since April 2022.
We continue to work to reduce our caseload much further so we can deliver a consistent speed and quality of decision. Applicants and Local Planning Authorities can help us with that by resolving issues with applications locally wherever possible to reduce the number of appeals being submitted.
Median decision times
Decisions on planning appeals by hearing are continuing to get faster now they are following the same timetable as appeals being considered by inquiry. We are continuing to decide older planning hearing cases, which increases the overall median decision time.
We have now begun to focus on making our decision times for planning written representations appeals more consistent. Over the coming months we will be focusing on deciding those cases which are oldest.
The very high March median decision time for enforcement inquiries results from 31 decisions on the same site as part of our focus on deciding older cases.
| 12 months to March 2023 median decision time | March 2023 median decision time | |
|---|---|---|
| Planning appeals by written representations | 26 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Planning appeals by hearing | 43weeks | 42 weeks |
| Planning appeals by inquiry | 31 weeks | 31 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by written representations | 46 weeks | 58 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by hearing | 84 weeks | 69 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by inquiry | 82 weeks | 224 weeks |
| All appeals | 28 weeks | 29 weeks |
National Infrastructure
We have a high number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) at various stages:
- 69 where we are providing advice before submission
- 19 submitted and at acceptance, pre-examination, or examination
- 2 where we are preparing our recommendation
- 7 where the relevant Secretary of State is considering our recommendation
Local Plans
There are currently 51 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.
If you are interested in taking part on Local Plan examinations take a look at our recently launched series of short films that explain how you can get involved.