Nine out 10 planning departments are short-staffed, HBF report reveals
Summary
New research from the Home Builders Federation says nine in ten local authority planning departments in England and Wales are operating below full staffing capacity. The report links these shortages to slower decision-making, with major application determination rates and Section 106 completion times both cited as evidence of pressure on the system.
Why it matters
Planning delays can affect development pipelines, transaction timelines and the timing of new housing supply, all of which are relevant to residential property surveyors working on valuation, development and due diligence. The findings also highlight a policy and capacity issue that may continue to influence local planning performance and appeal activity.
Key points
- Nine out of 10 planning departments are reported to be understaffed.
- Councils average fewer than 36 planning staff against an estimated need of around 44.
- The HBF says councils need 2,660 more planners to reach full staffing levels.
- Only around 20% of major applications are determined within the 13-week target.
- Section 106 agreements are reported to take an average of 515 days to complete.
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