PLANNING applications in Herefordshire fell by nearly a fifth compared to a year ago during lockdown.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data shows Herefordshire Council received 467 applications for planning permission between April and June, 101 fewer than the 568 applications acquired over the same period last year.

In the first three months of 2020, the council received 521 applications.

The figures may include housing, office and retail developments as well as extensions or alterations to existing homes.

Across England as a whole, local authorities received 88,000 planning applications between April and June, down by almost a quarter from 2019.

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The Home Builders Federation said uncertainty whipped up by the coronavirus pandemic mixed with strict lockdown measures led to an inevitable fall in applications nationally.

Andrew Whitaker, planning director at the Home Builders Federation, said the national lockdown period had been tough for developers.

"It was inevitable that applications would drop, not least because a lot of builders were forced to furlough staff, but also because of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic," he added.

Mr Whitaker said councils’ commitment to supplying land and granting permissions quickly will be key to the industry’s post-pandemic recovery.

Herefordshire Council made decisions on 426 applications between April and June, of which 370 were granted and 53 refused.

It gave the green light to 83 applications for minor housing developments and five major developments, comprising anything from 10 to 200 or more new dwellings.

David Renard, planning spokesman for the Local Government Association, said councils have kept the planning process on track throughout the crisis, including introducing virtual committee meetings, but warned the loss of planning application fees will have had an impact on revenue in some areas.

Currently fees, aimed at meeting the costs incurred by local authorities when making decisions, are set nationally.

"The Spending Review should give councils the ability to set planning fees locally, with taxpayers currently subsidising nearly £180 million a year to cover funding shortfalls," Mr Renard added.

"The fees should also help to cover the cost of wider planning functions to ensure that these can continue to support the decision and plan-making process."