Dudley Council continues to be one of the best authorities in the country for dealing with planning applications quickly and efficiently, new figures have revealed.

Local authorities have to deal with major planning applications – such as big housing developments or retail complexes – within 13 weeks for them to be 'in time'. Minor planning applications, such as home extensions and smaller commercial developments, need to be determined within eight weeks.

The council dealt with 100 per cent of its major planning applications in time from January 2018 to the end of December last year, placing it joint first in the country out of 343 nationally. It is the 15th time in succession the council has achieved 100 per cent.

Dudley also ranked 13th nationally - compared to 116th for Walsall, 164th for Sandwell and 293rd for Wolverhampton – in dealing with minor planning applications in time over the same quarter. The council dealt with 2,005 minor planning applications from January 2018 to the end of December last year, determining 99.5 per cent in time. Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:

"These figures are really pleasing and are a testament to the hard work of our planning officers in making sure applications are dealt with on a timely basis.

"They can be taken as an indicator that whether you are a big developer or a small trader, Dudley is open for business. If you are a resident looking to improve your home, we are here to help.

"We have a proven track record in responding efficiently and effectively to formal applications, and we will continue to work hard to maintain that."