Planning Inspectorate Performance update – January 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.
In December 2023, we closed more cases than we received, continuing a trend going back to June 2023. We received 1,535, closed 1,634 and have 13,809 open cases. We closed fewer cases and held fewer site visits, hearings, and inquiries in December than other months because of the festive period.
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 in a more consistent timeframe.
From 1 April 2024, people wanting to share their views on planning and enforcement appeals must submit their comments through the Appeals Casework Portal (ACP). Comments will no longer be accepted by email.
This will help us to streamline our processes and focus our resources on activities that improve our services.
Median decision times
The median decision time for cases decided in December was 29 weeks, two weeks faster than the average over the past 12 months of 31 weeks.
| 12 months to December 2023 median decision time | December 2023 median decision time | |
|---|---|---|
| Planning appeals by written representations | 29 weeks | 28 weeks |
| Planning appeals by hearing | 28 weeks | 24 weeks |
| Planning appeals by inquiry | 31 weeks | 31 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by written representations | 52 weeks | 54 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by hearing | 69 weeks | 63 weeks |
| Enforcement appeals by inquiry | 82 weeks | 88 weeks |
| All appeals | 31 weeks | 29 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:
- 76 where we are providing advice before submission
- 15 submitted and at acceptance, pre-examination, or examination
- 4 where we are preparing our recommendation
- 10 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.
In the last couple of weeks two NSIPs have been granted development consent by the relevant Secretary of State.
The Drax Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage Project proposes to install post-combustion capture technology that would capture carbon dioxide emissions from up to two of the existing biomass units at Drax Power Station.
The A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme involves the widening where necessary of the A12 between Chelmsford (junction 19) and the A120 (junction 25) from two to three lanes in each direction; improve junction 19 and 25; removal of junctions 20a, 20b and 23; move junction 21, 22 and 24 to make them all movement junctions and create two bypasses.
Local Plans
There are currently 46 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.