The number of planning decisions made in less than two months has increased from 68.5% to 74.1%, according to latest figures from the Scottish Government.

It added that the average decision time for major and local planning applications has fallen in the months April – June.

National planning performance statistics revealed the average decision time for major applications handled under the reformed planning system fell to 33.2 weeks between April and June 2013 – four weeks faster than the previous quarter (January to March).

Local applications are also being decided more quickly, with the average decision time in quarter one being 10.5 weeks compared to 11.9 in quarter four of 2012.

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There was also a small drop in the average time for decisions on householder developments to 7.6 weeks in quarter one, compared to 7.9 weeks in both quarter four of 2012 and the same quarter of last year.

Commenting on the figures, Planning Minister Derek Mackay said: "Through effective early engagement between local authorities and applicants, as well as strong project management, we have managed to reduce the waiting time for builders and developers.

"By improving efficiency in Scotland's planning system, we can provide developers and businesses with greater certainty of speed of decision-making. Planning remains about the right development in the right place.

"An important part of this is our Town Centre Action Plan, which we are currently working with stakeholders on and is in direct response to the independent Town Centre Review carried out earlier this year.

"Scotland's planning system has, at its heart, the overriding principle of delivering sustainable economic growth as well as increasing protection for our country's most environmentally important areas.

"Facilitating much needed new development and investing in modernising our infrastructure, while maintaining and creating high quality, distinctive, sustainable and healthy places is essential in order for Scotland to maximise its attraction to both domestic and international investors."

(JP/CD)