NORTH Wiltshire District Council's planning department has been awarded a £185,712 grant from central Government.

The money is a reward for its speed in decision making when dealing with planning applications.

Since 2003 the district council has consistently met all of the Government's planning targets and has been rewarded with total grants of more than £2.1m.

Coun Chuck Berry, the council's lead member for planning, said: "I am extremely pleased that our planning department continues to provide a quality service to our customers.

"We are required to achieve 60 per cent of all decisions on major applications within 13 weeks, 65 per cent of all decisions on minor applications within eight weeks and 80 per cent of all decisions on other applications within eight weeks.

"The council has consistently exceeded all the targets on an annual basis for the past four years and this has therefore been recognised in the reward for good service by the Government."

Coun Dick Tonge, pictured, the leader of North Wiltshire District Council, said: "This grant is a real accolade for our planning staff. They are doing a splendid job, which is being recognised nationally. They are to be congratulated."