A performance update for the inspectorate shows that more cases were closed than received in the year to March 2025
The Planning Inspectorate has made 18,346 decisions in the last 12 months to March.
In March alone, 1,736 decisions were made, representing 200 above the 12-month average of 1,529.
The Planning Inspectorate shows an increasing speed of decision times
In the last year, the Planning Inspectorate has made decisions and closed cases, meaning that the total has dropped from 13,293 to 12,086, a net decrease.
The performance update shows appeal cases are dealt with in three different ways, including written representations, hearings, or inquiries. The measures in the update detail that a reduction in average decision time was expected to bring more consistency to decision speeds.
Decision time is measured from the day a valid appeal is received through to the day a decision is issued, similar to how Local Planning Authorities measure their times.
The aim has been to reduce the total number of open cases.
The overall median decision time was 27 weeks
The end of March saw both written representations and appeals made by hearings below the 12-month average, meaning appeals by inquiry, and enforcement appeals by written representations, by hearings, and by inquiries were all either at or above average. Written representations sat at a 24 weeks March 2025 median decision time, while those made by hearing sat at 23 weeks.
National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are at a higher number than usual and are at various stages.
61 NSIP projects are at a stage where the Planning Inspectorate is providing advice before submission, 15 projects have been submitted and are either at the acceptance, pre-examination, or examination stage, eight are at a stage of being prepared for recommendation, and six are being considered by the Secretary of State.
In January, Lawrence Turner, director of Boyer, discussed his predictions for planning and development in 2025, especially with the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Lawrence predicted that the number of planning permissions being granted at the appeal stage would increase because local authorities may be sceptical of increased development and resist granting permissions, but developers may appeal more rejected applications due to increased confidence.
This also predicts that the Planning Inspectorate falls under more pressure, and may require more funding and resources to keep up.
It is unclear how accurate this prediction is, but the latest figures show that the Planning Inspectorate’s rate of decision-making has increased. The published figures do not show the number of approvals or rejections.
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