The concept of delay in development control

This paper discusses the phenomenon of delay in development control. The Government's stress on minimising delay, and the crude measurement used, are contrasted with a discussion of the causes and the accurate measurement of delay. It is suggested that ‘delay’ is a strongly value‐laden term, and that local planning authorities are in many cases being criticised for factors wholly outside their control. Minimising delay by speeding decision‐making may not be altogether beneficial to society.