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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      
Local (non-householder) applications - average number of weeks to determine a local (non-householder) application 10 weeks 8.4 weeks      
Major applications - average number of weeks to determine a major application 35 weeks 13.2 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%

We are taking part in a pilot to test national planning performance framework. The National Planning Performance Framework 2023/24 was prepared as part of this pilot and is based on a self-assessment approach, involving staff, stakeholder peer review and a collaborate assessment with our peer partner Scottish Borders Council.

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