The proportion of planning applications approved by councils is at its highest level since 1999, law firm EMW has found.
Latest statistics showed an approval rate of 89% for all commercial and residential planning applications.
Principal at EMW, Giles Ferin, said: ‘An increase in construction and development boosts jobs, and, ultimately, provides more income for cash-strapped councils through increased business rates and council tax and other incentives such as the New Homes Bonus scheme.
‘As the UK economy returns to its pre-financial crisis levels, local authorities will not want to impede new growth opportunities that could come their way.
‘While bank lending levels are not where they used to be, it is encouraging to see that other impediments to growth in construction and development are being actively tackled by both the Government and local authorities to aid the UK’s full-scale recovery.
‘There is now the opportunity to get things from the drawing board into the construction phase that much faster.’