Hertsmere borough's planning department falls far short of national targets, according to a recent Government report.

Figures from the Department of Environment Transport Regions (DETR) for 1997/8 show the majority of local planning authorities are failing to make the target of 80 per cent of all applications decided within eight weeks.

Comparing 296 non-metropolitan district councils, unitary authorities and national park authorities, the performance table ranks Hertsmere 210th.

With just 57.2 per cent of cases decided in eight weeks, Hertsmere not only falls below the recommended rating, but also the national average of 62 per cent.

However, the department has improved on last year's 52.4 per cent.

According to Hertsmere's head of development control, Stephen Job, there are several reason for the low figures.

"One is that Hertsmere has three planning sub-committees on a five week cycle. Many authorities have two planning sub-committees or a single committee on a shorter cycle.

"It is also Council policy to negotiate on planning applications (rather than simply refuse) and to reconsult neighbours on amended plans. These factors influence the eight week performance figures."

Planning minister Richard Caborn hopes the launch of the Government's Modernising Planning programme will mean better results. He said: "We are committed to delivering our share of what has been promised and it is important that local government begins to deliver real benefits to their communities. Improving the speed with which planning applications are decided is an area where we are looking for real progress."

Mr Job acknowledges that there is scope for improvement, particularly on householder applications which are now being fast-tracked.

"I am confident that we will be on the DETR's list of improving authorities next time."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.