The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) has called for additional resources to be dedicated to support council planning departments.

It also called for further action to streamline the planning process, Scottish Housing News has reported.

The construction industry trade body made the comments after new figures revealed major planning applications took an average of 62 weeks to be determined over the 12 months to March 2013.

Local authorities throughout Scotland have targets to determine major applications within a period of four months.

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However, in planning performance statistics released by the Scottish Government on Thursday (18 July), reveal the average time taken to make a decision on these applications is almost four times the target time frame.

Of the local authorities, only East Dunbartonshire and Stirling recorded an average time period less than the four months.

Scottish Building Federation Executive Director Michael Levack, said: "We fully recognise the significant workload and financial pressures councils are currently facing. But a system where the average major planning application is taking more than a year to determine is a real cause for concern. It acts as a major drag on delivering the large-scale industrial, commercial and housing developments our industry and the Scottish economy need to build a long-term recovery.

"Future planning policy needs to reinforce its focus on enabling appropriate developments in suitable locations. We need to streamline processes and invest the necessary resources to help ensure many more applications are determined within established deadlines."

(JP)