Our Planning Service has seen a dramatic improvement in decision-making times for household planning applications following a successful trial of new ways of working.
Since February 2025, the team has been testing streamlined processes designed to speed up the processing of minor and householder applications, reduce the number of time extensions, and deliver a better service for residents. The aim is not only to make the process quicker but also to help boost economic activity in the district by enabling projects to start sooner.
For Householder applications, in the year up to March 2025, 69% were decided within 8 weeks. Between April and June, this leapt to 97%. In July, 100% of householder applications were decided within the 8-week target.
In the year up to March 2025, 35% of Minor applications were decided within 8 weeks. Between April and June, this improved significantly, with 70% meeting the target.
The service has also maintained high standards in decision-making, with a refusal rate of 23% for householders and 30% for minor applications this year. This reflects the service’s approach to ensuring that inappropriate or poor-quality proposals are not approved at the expense of the district’s character and residents’ interests.
By prioritising thoughtful planning and community interests, the service continues to safeguard the integrity of local neighbourhoods and uphold the values that matter most to residents.
Councillor Alex Farrell, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Local Plan said:
“We’ve made a real effort to transform how our planning service operates, and the results speak for themselves. Residents are getting quicker decisions, fewer delays, and a more efficient process, without compromising on quality. Refusing unsuitable applications is part of maintaining the unique character of our district, and we make no apology for upholding those standards.”
The trials include one day set aside, each week solely for planning officers to make decisions on applications, a revised ‘amendments to applications’ policy and increasing the posting of highly visible yellow site notices which publicise planning applications, in place of sending out letters for the majority of cases, has led to keeping more residents informed of development proposals in their area.
The trials will continue for the remainder of the year as the council looks at how these changes can be embedded into the service long term.