A new Scottish Government report has praised the work of Argyll and Bute Council's planning department.

The study has highlighted the service's strong performance across a range of different areas in 2016/2017.

Areas which received positive feedback included;

• The council's successful reduction in the time required for decisions on major planning developments to 22 weeks, outstripping the national average of 37 weeks

• Good quality of the council's pre-application advice service and action taken to promote the process

• Delivery of a wide range of improvements in 2016/17 including an enhanced validation service, completion of conservation appraisals and publication of biodiversity information

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• Early engagement of elected members and external stakeholders in the planning process

• Commitment to sharing good practice with other local authorities

All Scottish local authorities submit an annual Planning Performance Framework to the Scottish Government for review. Services are assessed across 15 different areas of the service they provide for local residents and businesses. They are awarded 'green', 'amber' or 'red' ratings for each part of the process.

This year's report shows the service registering 11 positive 'green' ratings, three 'amber', and only one 'red' rating (which refers to legacy - old or stalled – applications).

Cllr David Kinninburgh, Policy Lead for Planning, said: "Our Planning Service plays a key role in the economic growth of Argyll and Bute, assessing and supporting projects as wide ranging as windfarms, housing developments and listed building refurbishments.

"The focus in all cases is on providing a high quality, efficient and responsive service which supports the ambitions of businesses and individuals while also ensuring the interests of the wider community and the local environment.

"Overall our planning services' drive is to develop Argyll and Bute as 'open for business' and so build a successful local economy. We're pleased that this Scottish Government report highlights the success of that strategy."

(LM)