I have pleasure in introducing the Planning Inspectorate’s Business and Corporate Plan for 2003-2004.
The Government is taking forward a substantial programme of action to reform and improve the operation of the planning system and the Deputy Prime Minister has set out a wide ranging action plan (“Sustainable communities: building for the future”) for the delivery of strong and vibrant communities. The Planning Inspectorate will play a vital role in helping to achieve our objectives.

The Inspectorate has reduced the time it takes to process planning appeals year on year since 1992, so that now the processing time for all cases has been significantly improved. That is an impressive achievement in a system which continues to provide high standards of fairness, openness, impartiality and quality. However, much remains to be done if the Inspectorate is to provide a level of service which is fit for purpose in the 21st century.We have therefore commenced an end to end review of their processes to
ensure that they deliver faster results, consistent with policy, whilst ensuring that standards and quality are not compromised.

The priority for the Inspectorate in 2003-2004 is to support the planning reform process and to gear up for the preparation and updating of local plans by local authorities. In addition, they will contribute to ODPM’s work to meet the target that at least 80% of Secretary of State cases must be decided within 16 weeks from the close of the inquiry, thus improving overall performance by 50% in two years.

Under its new Chief Executive, Katrine Sporle, I have every confidence that the Planning Inspectorate will play a full and effective part in helping to deliver an improved planning service.

Tony McNulty MP
Parliamentary-under-Secretary of State
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Foreword by Minister