ALLEGED delays in Barnsley Council’s planning application process has been refuted by the local authority.
The government sets statutory periods for the determination of planning applications at eight weeks for minor development and 13 weeks for major proposals.
Coun Sam Christmas, who represents the Dodworth ward, said he had been made aware that ‘significant’ delays had been encountered by residents attempting to secure consent.
However, the council dismissed the claims and said Barnsley performs better than the government’s targets.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “The local planning authority will always try to determine planning applications without unnecessary delay.
“However, there may be instances where more complicated cases take additional time to consider.
The time taken to determine planning applications is a key indicator of the planning department’s performance.
“It is monitored to ensure that targets are achieved and that the department is performing in line with the government’s targets.
“In the first quarter of this year 100% of major planning applications have been determined in line with statutory timescale or extended timeframes with 88 per cent of minor development and 95 per cent of domestic applications.
“These are well in excess of the national indicator requirement for the determination of planning applications.”
