Feedback on its Planning Performance Framework was presented to the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee yesterday.

The 2022/23 framework gained 13 green indicators, reflecting targets met or exceeded, and two amber indicators, reflecting targets not yet fully met.

Decision-making timescales for major, local, and householder applications is well under half of the time of the Scottish national average, and a green indicator was awarded for producing relevant and up-to-date policy advice.

Members noted Moray Council’s decision-making timescale for major developments has significantly reduced from 98 weeks in 2013-14 to 15 weeks in 2022/23. This compares to a national average of 39 weeks.

The report to elected members also granted the council’s Development Plan scheme a green indicator. This was earned for adopting the Local Development Plan 2020 within five years.

The local authority secured another green indicator for having already started preliminary engagement on its new Local Development Plan, including registering awareness and ensuring communities are registering an interest in preparing Local Place Plans.

The Scottish Government feedback said, in future, the council should explain more clearly in its Planning and Performance Framework how it sets out clear and proportionate requests for supporting information, and how Developer Contributions are set out during pre-application discussions

Chair of Moray Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, Cllr David Gordon, said: “I’m delighted to endorse the Planning Performance Framework 2022/23, particularly as there’s been a number of major planning applications determined throughout that period. I’m very much looking forward to supporting the council’s drive for continuous improvement and know the Local Development Plan 2027 is already shaping up to be a positive move for Moray Council.”