Performance update – August 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.
We made 17,845 appeal decisions in the last 12 months. In July we made 1,517 decisions, slightly more than the 12-month average of 1,510.
We are making progress in tackling our caseload as we continue to close more cases than we receive. In July we received 1,673 cases and closed 1,771.
At the end of July 2023, we had 14,392 cases open, which is the fewest since August 2022.
Median decision times
The median decision time for appeals decided in July 2023 was 33 weeks.
Planning appeals considered by an exchange of written evidence (often called “written representations”) is the area of appeals work where we make most decisions. Throughout this year we are focusing on making our decision times on these appeals more consistent. The current phase of this work includes deciding more than a thousand older appeals, which will lead to a temporary increase in average decision times. The average time for deciding planning written appeals was consequently 32 weeks in July, compared to 28 weeks for the whole year.
However, we are continuing to reduce the number of appeals awaiting a decision by hearing or inquiry, including closing older appeals. In July the median time for deciding planning appeals by hearing (26 weeks) was well below the 12-month average of 34 weeks. Median decision times for appeals by inquiry in July (29 weeks) was also slightly lower than the 12-month average (30 weeks).
| 12 months to July 2023 median decision time | July 2023 median decision time | |
|---|---|---|
| Planning appeals by written representations | 28 weeks | 32 weeks |
| Planning appeals by hearing | 34 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Planning appeals by inquiry | 30 weeks | 29 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by written representations | 51 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by hearing | 68 weeks | 34 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by inquiry | 82 weeks | 80 weeks |
| All appeals | 30 weeks | 33 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
- 17 submitted and at acceptance, pre-examination, or examination
- 5 where we are preparing our recommendation
- 7 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. One of the latest projects to be accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate is:
- Gatwick Airport Northern Runway - The amendment of Gatwick Airport to support dual runway operations through the routine use of the existing northern runway and to accommodate up to 74 million passengers per annum
Local Plans
There are currently 49 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.