Dudley Council 14th fastest in UK for planning responses
Dudley Council is one of the best authorities in the country for dealing with planning applications quickly and efficiently, new figures have revealed.
The council has been ranked 14th nationally for dealing with minor planning applications on time.
Local authorities have to deal with major applications – such as big housing developments or retail complexes – within 13 weeks for them to be 'in time'. Minor applications, such as home extensions, need to be determined within eight weeks.
Dudley Council dealt with 100 per cent of its major planning applications from October 2016 to the end of September 2018, placing it joint first in the country along with 21 other local authorities out of 337 nationally. It is the 10th time in succession the council has achieved 100 per cent.
The council dealt with more than 2,000 minor applications between October 2016 and September last year, determining 98.3 per cent in time.
Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and economic investment, said: "These figures are really pleasing and are a testament to the hard work of our planning officers in making sure applications are dealt with on a timely basis.
"They can be taken as an indicator that whether you are a big developer or a small trader, Dudley is open for business.
"If you are a resident looking to improve your home, we are here to help.
"We now have a proven track record in responding efficiently and effectively to formal applications, and we will continue to work hard to maintain that.”
