In the report it was confirmed that processing of planning applications by councils has continued to exceed targeted timescales. 63% of major planning applications across councils were not within the statutory 30-week target.

In terms of local planning applications, around 62 per cent were not processed within the statutory 15-week target. 

The Strangford MLA has said: "Whilst there are variations in performance across different council areas, it is simply not good enough that some applicants are having to wait more than double the statutory target for planning decisions. Planning was devolved to Councils almost 10 years ago, and in that time the systems appear to have slowed to such an extent that it is seriously impacting development across Northern Ireland.

“There are approximately 80,000 people without a home to call their own, and nearly 48,000 on the waiting list for social housing. Council planning delays are only adding to this housing crisis, and we must be making every effort to see this corrected and everyone housed in accommodation which is safe, warm, and appropriate according to their needs.

“Beyond that, these delays also act as a barrier to investment whenever the planning systems elsewhere work better, with the Labour Government having made planning reform a major part of its agenda. We can't stand to fall even further behind and have developers take their investment and jobs elsewhere to an even greater extent than it is already happening.

“I’d encourage all councils to take heed of the Local Government Auditor report and take steps to improve their ability to meet planning deadlines. We cannot afford not to.”