Planning Aid for Scotland (PAS) has welcomed the publication of the new planning statistics but says that the drop in planning applications is in stark contrast to rising demand for independent planning advice by the public.

The number of planning applications decided by Scotland's planning authorities fell from 47,220 in 2008/09 to 40,368 in 2009/10, a decrease of 14.5%. There was also a drop of 7% in the number of applications received.

Over the same period, demands on the free PAS planning advice service increased dramatically. 593 people contacted the advice service in 2008/09. For 2009/10 there were 666. This represents a 12% increase.

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Petra Biberbach, Chief Executive of Planning Aid for Scotland, said: “The new planning statistics clearly demonstrate a predicted drop in planning applications due to the economic downturn.

“Over this same period Planning Aid for Scotland has seen a significant increase in calls and emails from people wanting to access our free and impartial planning advice service.

“This is proof that our awareness raising work and training around Scotland, in schools, supermarkets and festivals and with councils and public bodies is paying off. Now more than ever there is a public that wants to fully engage with planning.

“There is more of a mixed picture when it comes to the speed of planning applications. This demonstrates that we all need to work together to make sure we’ve not just got an efficient planning system - but also an inclusive one.”

(GK/KMcA)