IT’S official – Stratford District Council has the busiest planning department in the Midlands following the release of the government’s annual planning data.
Results have also shown that it is the second busiest in England out of the 162 district councils.
From April 2023 to March 2024, the department dealt with 1,879 applications.
Only East Suffolk district was busier with 2,196 applications.
In the Midlands region, Wychavon district was second busiest after Stratford with 1,309 applications.
SDC’s planning spokesperson Coun George Cowcher welcomed the data saying: “This data puts into context and shines a light on the hard work that everyone in the development department at the district council does.
“I would like to thank all staff for their continued efforts as I know that planning can be complicated and contentious, but to continually determine applications effectively and efficiently while keeping dozens of plates spinning is a real accomplishment.
“Nevertheless, we are always looking for service improvements and following our recent Planning Advisory Service Review, we have committed additional funding from the council plan and change programme to continue to develop the service further and ensure that residents receive an improved service. We also welcome the new government’s indication that they will be providing more resources for busy planning departments.”
Other statistics show that 89 per cent of applications were approved and 84 per cent of applications were processed in time.
