Northern Powerhouse decides more major applications than London

The combined authorities of the Northern Powerhouse decided 22% more major planning applications per capita than their London counterparts last year. According to research from the BPF and GL Hearn, the 25 northern boroughs made 11 decisions per 100,000 residents, compared to nine in London. The survey said that overall, despite a lack of resources at authorities, the planning system has broadly stabilised after years of flux. Average decision making times remained stable at 31 weeks, overall approval ratings for major applications held steady at 87% while there only a slight dip in the overall volume of major applications decided. Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “The development industry has an important part to play in ensuring growth across the country, and it is good to see that there is lots of activity in the North West. “That said, average determination times are stagnating across the country, and the issue of under-resourcing continues to be very apparent.” The accompanying report survey showed that sentiment in the industry is the worst it has ever been, with 65% of planning officers and 36% of developers concerned the system is getting worse. 80% of applicants were dissatisfied with the time it takes for decisions to be made, the highest recorded. The data has shown that many in the industry are hopeful that a number of proposed policy solutions could reduce application decision times and help alleviate resourcing issues at LPAs.   A total of 56% of applicants and 44% of LPA officers believe that ‘planning performance reviews’ would improve decision making times and reduce resourcing pressures at LPAs, though other were more divisive; 66% of applicants and only 19% of LPA officers believe ‘permission in principle’ would improve decision making times and reduce resourcing pressures at LPAs. Alastair Crowdy, managing director of Capita Real Estate Advisory and GL Hearn, said: “It is clear that in a time of economic uncertainty it is unlikely that we will see the planning system receive a huge investment boost; we all know that there are other, more pressing priorities for the government and for local authorities. “As a result, we all need to work together – planners, developers and central government – to deliver innovative solutions and policies that will help get Britain planning again.” • To send feedback, e-mail alex.peace@estatesgazette.com or tweet @egalexpeace or @estatesgazette