Planning performance

Planning application statistics

Key outcomes on planning application statistics are provided below:

It includes:

  • types of application
  • the average time taken to determine applications
  • number of applications approved
  • and enforcement activity

Planning applications statistics do not solely reflect the performance of the planning system. The complexity of planning applications often requires specialised input, which means that various factors can influence timelines.

We encourage applicants to work with us in order to make applications acceptable in planning terms rather than just refusing them at the outset, which can sometimes extend determination timescales.

Planning applications determined - Financial Year 2025/26

Average time to decision (weeks) Target Q1 (Apr to June 2025) Q2 (July to Sept 2025) Q3 (Oct to Dec 2025) Q4 (Jan to March 2026)
Local householder applications 11 weeks 9.2 weeks 13.7 weeks - -
Local (non-householder) applications 10 weeks 26.4 weeks 27.9 weeks - -
Other applications 9 weeks 13.6 weeks 17.6 weeks - -

Total Number of Decisions and percentage within agreed timescales

Quarter 2 Total Number of Decisions % within agreed timescales
Local developments (Householder) - Total 141 -
Decisions in less than 2 months: 106 75.18
Decisions in more than 2 months: 35 24.82
Local developments (Non-householder) - Total 359 -
Decisions in less than 2 months: 135 37.60
Decisions in more than 2 months: 224 62.40
All Local Developments - Total 500 -
Decisions in less than 2 months: 241 48.20
Decisions in more than 2 months: 259 51.80
Other Consents - Total 74 -
Decisions in less than 2 months: 39 52.70

Percent of local planning applications dealt within 2 months

Bar chart showing percentage of local planning applications dealt within 2 months

 

National statistics

The Scottish Government publishes regular statistics on planning application decisions and timescales for all planning authorities.

You can view our performance on the Scottish Government website.

Page last modified: 27 October 2025