Building firms are continuing to experience planning decision delays despite recent improvements in the system, according to industry body Homes for Scotland (HfS).

The latest Scottish Government statistics have revealed the time taken to decide on applications for major housing developments has decreased from 41.3 weeks to 40 weeks in 2015/16.

HfS's Head of Planning, Tammy Adams, said despite the figures providing a "useful barometer" on the performance of local planning authorities, the organisation agreed with Planning Minister Kevin Stewart that more needed to be done.

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"The fact remains that our members continue to experience frustrating delays to planning decisions across Scotland and HFS therefore echoes the Minister's view that more needs to be done on improving performance," she said.

"It is crucial that this is looked at across the piece. Section 75 negotiations (on what developer contributions are required) can double the amount of time it takes to issue a decision. Once a decision has been issued, the delivery of much-needed new homes can be further delayed as developers await yet more decisions relating to planning conditions. And, at present, if permission is refused or decisions are not forthcoming, the appeal system is struggling to cope with the current volume of cases.

"The on-going review of the planning system provides an opportunity to address these and other key issues in order to create circumstances which better support an increase in housing delivery across all tenures."

(LM/CD)