Planning Inspectorate (Hansard, 25 March 2002)

§ Ms Keeble

The Planning Inspectorate has a key role to play in delivering quality services to all users of the planning system.

This year, for the first time, we are setting targets for the handling of enforcement appeals. The Planning Green Paper underlines that better enforcement is a key factor in raising public confidence in the planning system. Improved handling of enforcement appeals will support delivery of that objective.

We are also setting a new target for the handling of called-in planning applications and recovered appeals by the inspectorate. This is part of our Green Paper drive to deliver essential improvements in the decision-making times in these cases.

We will be working with the inspectorate to consider ways in which performance on planning appeals might be improved further in later years without compromising quality.

The targets for 2002–03 are as follows:

Timeliness

(a) Planning appeals

80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representation to be decided within 16 weeks;
80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearing to be decided within 22 weeks;
80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiry to be decided within 30 weeks;

(b) Enforcement appeals

80 per cent. of all enforcement appeals decided by written representation to be decided within 32 weeks;
80 per cent. of all enforcement appeals decided by hearing to be decided within 33 weeks;
80 per cent. of all enforcement appeals decided by inquiry to be decided within 43 weeks;

to process 80 per cent. of all called-in and recovered appeal cases within 12 weeks from close of the inquiry to delivery of the inspector's report to the Secretary of State.

(d) Development plan inquiries

to provide an inspector for a development plan inquiry in at least 90 per cent. of cases on the date requested by the local authority, provided that the objection period has ended and at least six month's notice has been given;
to deliver 90 per cent. of inspector's reports on development plan inquiries to local authorities according to time scales agreed under service agreements.

674W

Quality

To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate, and thus the Secretary of State and the first Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of all the inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99 per cent. of its case work free from justified complaint.

Information and guidance

To survey customer satisfaction with the inspectorate's performance and to act upon the results.