Alongside this, we update the appeals handling times data to give customers the latest information on the average time it takes to receive a decision.

In summary:

• The number of open cases rose to 13,988 by the end of July. We are currently receiving more cases than we can decide, though we issued 1,426 decisions in July which was 232 more than the previous month. We continue to focus on casework with the most community interest and those key to supporting the nation’s economic recovery, such as national infrastructure applications, local plan examinations and appeals needing a hearing or inquiry. We encourage appellants to work closely with their local planning authorities and other interested parties to resolve issues locally and help to reduce pressure on the appeals system.

• New Ministerial performance Measures for The Planning Inspectorate were announced earlier this year, with an expectation we reduce average decision times. From April we implemented a faster process for planning appeals requiring a hearing and the first cases heard in the improved process are now being issued within the 24-26 weeks we are aiming for. Decision times for appeals by inquiry remain positive with a median time of 31 weeks in July 2022. We will continue to work to speed up decision times whilst maintaining the standards of our decisions.
• Since the new measures were adopted, we have been working to find better ways of presenting our performance data to make it clearer and more user-friendly. This month, alongside our usual performance statistics format, we have published an experimental data set, focusing on a small number of the new Ministerial measures. Any feedback on the presentation is very welcome and should be sent to statistics@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
• They show that the number of appeals submitted that were valid on first submission between April and June 2022 (61.2%) was a slight improvement on the previous three months (59.8%), but we have ambitions to increase this significantly. We are currently working with local planning authorities on a project to improve our digital services, including making it clearer for appellants how to use the appeal service. This should reduce the number of incomplete appeals which cause delays. Follow this guide carefully when submitting an appeal so that your case is not delayed and more of our time is spent on progressing appeals.

• Alongside the focus on speeding up decisions we remain committed to retaining and improving the quality of decision making. The experimental statistics show between April and June 2022, 831 appeal cases were quality assured. This represents 22% of all decisions issued and includes 598 by Inspectors in Training as part of their learning.

• There are currently 62 local plan examinations in progress and many Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) at various stages of their progress through the planning system. They include 69 national infrastructure schemes where we are providing advice before submission, 12 applications are being considered by us and there are 11 proposals where we have completed our recommendations and the Secretary of State’s decision is awaited. These are vital to the ongoing support by The Planning Inspectorate to the country’s economic recovery.

• National Highways to work with local authorities to improve air quality
• Local Air Quality Guidance strengthened under the Environment Act
• Technical guidance also updated to support local air quality action

Local councils will have a new strengthened framework to improve air quality, under new plans announced by Defra today (18 August).

Using powers in the Environment Act, National Highways is to become the first designated “Relevant Public Authority” placing a legal requirement on it to work together with local councils when necessary to take effective action to deliver air quality standards and objectives. While National Highways already work with local authorities to improve air quality, this statutory requirement – consulted on earlier this year – will see a more consistent approach to meeting local air quality objectives on road networks.

In addition to this, Defra has updated Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) Policy Guidance to reflect legislative changes introduced through the Environment Act 2021 and clarify roles and responsibilities within local government.

Following consultation feedback, the guidance will be amended to include:

• A new requirement for local Air Quality Action Plans to include a timeline of clear actions that ensure Air Quality Objectives (pollution concentration limits) are met and air quality standards improve in local areas.
• The requirement for an Air Quality Management Area to be declared within 12 months of identifying an exceedance of the air quality objectives to ensure that local councils develop Air Quality Actions Plans more quickly.
• The requirement for local authorities to produce an Air Quality Action Plan within 18 months of declaring an Air Quality Management Area.
• A new reminder and warning alert system to increase local council compliance with reporting on actions they are taking to improve air quality.

The Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) Technical Guidance, which is designed to support local authorities in carrying out their duties under the Environment Act, has also been updated to reflect the legislative changes introduced through the Environment Act 2021.

Environment Minister Steve Double, said:

“These changes – delivered by our Environment Act – provide a strengthened framework for local councils to meet their air quality objectives, and will ensure that communities are protected sooner with real improvements to the air we breathe.”

Full guidance on Local Air Quality Management is available on our dedicated website.

The aircraft was approaching Runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport at the end of a flight from Dubai. During the flare for landing the aircraft “floated” and the crew believed it would not land within the runway Touchdown Zone (TDZ). A go-around was initiated from low height and speed; the subsequent pitch rate caused the aircraft to reach a nose-up attitude sufficient to cause a tailstrike. The aircraft subsequently landed safely and there were no injuries to crew or passengers.

The investigation found that a go-around was initiated from low height and low speed. The aircraft had insufficient energy to climb immediately and so touched down during the go-around process. The pitch rate induced by the co-pilot caused the aircraft to reach a nose up attitude sufficient to cause a tailstrike as the aircraft touched down.

Read the report.

Media enquiries call: 01932 440015   or   07814 812293

During a go-around at Aberdeen Airport, the aircraft descended from the go-around altitude for around a minute before subsequently climbing. The six crew members and all passengers were unharmed.

It is likely that the crew allowed the aircraft to descend without noticing after becoming overloaded by the high workload during the go-around. The high workload was due to a combination of factors: the requirements of flying the go-around manoeuvre manually; a larger than expected increase in thrust that led to a high pitch attitude and rate of climb; and the fact that non-standard go-around instructions were issued by ATC. Both pilots had experienced significant periods away from flying during the pandemic.

Following this event, safety action was taken by ATC at the airport in relation to go-around procedures; the operator, which issued guidance to its pilots and developed a relevant training package; and by the manufacturer which issued clarification on the behaviour of the autothrust system during go-arounds.

Read the report.

Media enquiries call: 01932 440015   or   07814 812293