Planning performance
Our Planning Performance Framework covers all aspects of the Planning Service: Development Management, Development Plans and Environment Planning. The framework captures key elements of a high-performing planning service, such as:
- speed of decision-making
- certainty of timescales, process and advice
- delivery of good quality development
- project management
- clear communications and open engagement
- an overall open for business attitude
The framework gives a balanced measurement of the overall quality of the planning service and will be used to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
| Performance indicators: 2025/26 | |||||
| Performance indicator | Current target | Q1 (April to June 2025) | Q2 (July to September 2025) | Q3 (October to December 2025) | Q4 (January to March 2026) |
| Householder applications - average number of weeks to determine a householder application | 7 weeks | 7.2 weeks |
6.6 weeks |
7.4 weeks | |
| Local (non-householder) applications - average number of weeks to determine a local (non-householder) application | 10 weeks | 8.4 weeks | 10.7 weeks | 7.9 weeks | |
| Major applications - average number of weeks to determine a major application | 35 weeks | 13.2 weeks | 15.4 weeks | 13 weeks | |
| Annual performance indicators | |||
| Performance indicator | 2022 to 2023 | 2023 to 2024 | 2024 to 2025 |
| Householder applications - average number of weeks to determine a householder application | 7.9 weeks | 8.2 weeks | 7.3 weeks |
| Local (non-householder) applications - average number of weeks to determine a local (non-householder) application | 15.1 weeks | 12.7 weeks | 8.4 weeks |
| Major applications – average number of weeks to determine a major application | 21.5 weeks | 25.6 weeks | 16.1 weeks |
| Maintain an overall customer satisfaction rate of 90% | 64% | 59% | 52.9% |
The National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF) is a performance-measurement approach based on self‑assessment, stakeholder peer review, and collaboration with our local authority partner Scottish Borders Council.
The national self-assessment framework consists of 5 themes:
- People
- Culture
- Tools
- Engage
- Place
This has been developed by stakeholders from a range of perspectives and interests in planning. The themes have been identified as key to achieving a high performing planning authority.
In each of the five themes, there are 12 attributes which need a detailed narrative to update on:
- Performance
- Statutory indicators
- Continuous improvement
- Collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
Completing the self‑assessment, developing an action plan, recognising good practice and identifying areas for improvement will help make sure our planning authority maintains a strong and effective performance framework.
Our improvement action plans and performance assessments reports are available to view on the Improvement Service website, along with other local authorities.
View the previous annual report submissions to the Scottish Government.
We further monitor our performance against our Service Standards set out in our customer charter. View more information about the customer charter and how to give feedback.