Planning applications fall by 19%, CLG says

During the September quarter, authorities undertaking district level planning in England received 135,000 applications for planning permission, it has emerged.

This figure represents a fall of 19 per cent when compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, according to Communities and Local Government (CLG).

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) says that the CLG figures show the "reluctance" of developers to commence new projects and develop new plots of land.

Rics says the fall also highlights the need for the government to reduce VAT on the repair and maintenance of buildings from 15 per cent to five per cent in order to stimulate the home improvement market.

"Local planning authorities should take this period of reduced work to finalise their Local Development Frameworks and help bring about a more effective planning system to support development when the recovery starts," the organisation added.