Walsall Council’s planning service has announced an impressive 85% approval rate for planning applications received in 2024, with a total of 940 planning permissions issued throughout the year.
Following a Planning Advisory Service (PAS) peer review in 2021, Walsall Council’s planning service has embarked on a journey of continuous improvement. The findings from the peer review were actioned and embedded, transforming the planning service into a more customer-focused, high-performing service offer that consistently exceeds national targets
“ We are incredibly proud of the progress our planning service has made over the past few years. Achieving an 85% approval rate for planning applications while also maintaining excellent performance is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. The continuous improvements we’ve implemented since the PAS peer review in 2021 have truly transformed our planning service.
Our planning committee’s effective decision-making is also crucial to realising our ambitious regeneration plans for Walsall. We are committed to maintaining this momentum and ensuring that our borough becomes a vibrant place where all residents have equal
opportunities. The upcoming review of our planning committee functions will further strengthen our ability to deliver on these goals and solidify our reputation as a leading council in the region “
Councillor Garry Perry, Leader
Walsall Council
Peer challenges are designed to enhance a council’s performance and improvement focus. In 2024, the council also saw 77% of planning appeal decisions ruled in its favour and successfully closed 482 planning enforcement cases with a focus on taking formal action and prosecutions on the most harmful unauthorised development in the borough.
As part of Walsall’s £1.5 billion programme of transformation and investment, Walsall Council is driving a major programme of improvements through various projects and partnerships, working towards the goals outlined in the Council Plan (2025-2029) and the We are Walsall 2040 Borough Plan, striving to make Walsall the most improved borough in the region. The vision is to create a vibrant place where people are proud to live and residents in all neighbourhoods have the same life chances.
In December 2024, the government announced an impending review of planning committee functions to support the national growth and housing delivery agenda. Building on the service improvement journey so far, Walsall Council is engaging in a critical friend review, focusing on the planning committee to ensure it is well-positioned to deliver regeneration ambitions through effective decision-making. Walsall Council’s planning service aspires to be recognised as the best of its kind.