Planning process slowdown

The department blame the slower rate on the new Planning Law, which requires tougher standards, more advertising, public hearings and scrutiny by the new department architect.

Environment Minister Freddie Cohen says fees for large developments are going up by around £700,000 per year to pay for more planners and architects.

And he says that the price of tougher standards at the department is that applications will take longer, but says most applications are still dealt with within 13 weeks.