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The slight improvement in the time taken to process applications comes despite increasing evidence that government pressure on planners to hit targets is causing councils to distort their performance to create the appearance of speed.

The government said it was pleased by the figures, although only 43% of decisions on major planning applications are made within the 13-week deadline. New planning minister Keith Hill said he was talking to councils such as Wychavon, Middlesbrough and North Wiltshire, who have all massively improved in the past year, to learn how things can be done better.

Although the number of applications processed by the best improvers rose about 30%, delivery from others fell just as dramatically. Boston council's performance dropped 55% and St Albans fell 30%.

Russell Eacott, director of community services for East Northamptonshire council, one of the worst performers, said a reorganisation was to blame: "We've replaced all our planning staff in the last 18 months, and have been hindered because of the poor marketplace for quality, trained planners."

However, others say that attempts to improve service are being thrown off course by the obsession with targets and league tables. Richard Bate, partner at town planning consultant Green Balance, said: "This is not the right measure of performance. It's like saying the railways would perform much better if the trains didn't have to stop at any stations. There is no attention paid to quality."

Councils are also able to improve the figures without necessarily improving service. The top-placed council, Tandridge in Surrey, has stopped negotiating on applications, so if they are not exactly right, a developer must apply over again.

Bob Evans, director of environmental protection at Tandridge council, said: "There is a risk that if you just focus on achieving the government numbers then you're not achieving your full objectives. We try to have an eye on both."