§ Mr. Robert BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average waiting time for the approval of planning applications by(a) Harrogate borough council and (b) all other authorities.
§ Mr. BaldryOn Tuesday 20 July 1993, my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning launched the planning performance checklists, copies of which have been placed in the House Library. The checklists show the relative performance of local planning authorities against the Government's target that 80 per cent. of applications for planning permission should be decided within eight weeks. In the year to 31 March 1993, Harrogate district council decided 51.3 per cent. of applications within eight weeks. Nationally, during the same period, local planning authorities decided 63 per cent. of applications within eight weeks.