London, UK: Waste developments accounted for 73 percent of the total decisions made on ‘County’ planning applications and minerals developments 21 per cent in the second quarter of 2007, according to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
However the number of applications determined within a 13 week period fell by 5% on the previous year at 65% of applications, though twenty-three percent of applications were decided within eight weeks (3% up on the same quarter last year).
Between Apr and June 2007, ‘county’ planning authorities received 461 planning applications (up 0.2% on last year). County councils received 88% of total applications, unitary authorities 4% and metropolitan districts 6%.
A modern WEEE processing facility (Wincanton)
The highest numbers of applications were received in Staffordshire and Norfolk (both 24 applications), Hampshire (23), Shropshire (20) and Essex (19).
County planning authorities determined 393 planning applications (down 4% on last year), of which 93% were granted.
Shropshire determined the highest number of planning applications (25) whilst Nottinghamshire determined 24 applications.
County matters
'County matters' planning applications are mainly for minerals extraction and waste disposal developments. They are dealt with by county councils, metropolitan districts, unitary authorities, London boroughs, national park authorities and urban development corporations, all being at ‘county’ level.
The vast majority are handled by the county councils who receive around two thousand 'county matters' applications per annum. However this is minute compared to the 650 thousand planning applications received by district planning authorities, though many county applications are of considerable environmental significance.
Further information
For further information visit the DCLG website.