The backlog of UK planning appeals has fallen by 9% to 12,086 open cases from a year ago, data from the Planning Inspectorate shows. 

The agency says it made 18,346 appeal decisions in the last 12 months to the end of March, in its first-quarter report.

It added that last month it made 1,736 decisions, more than 200 more than the 12-month average of 1,529.   

The median decision time for cases decided over the year to March was 27 weeks.  

The body points out that its appeal cases are dealt with in one of three ways — written representations, hearings, or inquiries.  

Labour has said that relaxing planning rules is key to its aim of building 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

Its Planning and Infrastructure Bill is currently making its way through Parliament.

Its measures include adding 300 more planning officers to local councils, limiting the number of times that government decisions on major infrastructure projects can be legally challenged and strengthening compulsory purchase powers.

Last week, Becky Wood was named as the head of the super infrastructure body that will deliver new roads, schools and hospitals to support the government’s housebuilding target. 

Wood will become the chief executive of the new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, which was set up earlier this month. 

The body is the result of the merger of the National Infrastructure Commission and the Infrastructure and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, in a bid to deliver large projects at pace.