Planning system 'grinds slower'

FSB says planning delays were bad for growth

The Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland has said latest figures have shown they are getting a raw deal from the planning system.

Figures from Audit Scotland have revealed that last year 43.6% of non-householder planning applications were dealt with within two months.

The federation said that in England that figure was nearer 75%.

It said it had been asking for years why the English planning process was so much more responsive.

The FSB's Scottish policy convener, Andy Willox, said: "Despite the efforts which have been put into improving the system north of the border, the figures still aren't moving in the right direction."

The federation has described the process as extremely frustrating for business and said it was bad for the growth prospects of small firms.

The organisation has written to the Scottish Government's chief planner asking what can be done to break the log jam.