Fall in planning applications

Planning applications to local councils have dropped by an average of almost 19 per cent, causing a drop in income averaging 16.3 per cent across England. The amounts ranged from a 50 per cent fall in income in Cambridge to a 27 per cent increase in Kerrier. Councils believe the overall fall is the result of the credit crunch and recent changes to the planning rules which allow more work to be done without planning permission.