Why Is The Planning System Failing?

• Published date: 01 June 2022
• Subject Matter: Environment, Real Estate and Construction, Environmental Law, Construction & Planning
• Law Firm: DMH Stallard
• Author: Mr Peter Rainier

The system is creaking under huge pressure and the resourcing of local planning authorities and the planning inspectorate with skilled staff is a key issue, writes Peter Rainier, Principal Director of planning law firm DMH Stallard

The planning system is undoubtedly underfunded, whilst being subject to increasing complexity and this leads to inevitable delays. There are several issues, but key amongst them is the resourcing of local planning authorities and the planning inspectorate with suitably skilled staff - the system is creaking under huge pressure

Extensive documentation is required with applications to consider, depending on the site and scale of the proposal: ground conditions, land stability, ecology, drainage, flood risk, highway safety, travel plans, energy/sustainability, arboriculture, biodiversity net gain, visual and landscape impact, noise, air quality, energy, heritage, public engagement' I could go on. These expert reports are required for validation of an application and place a significant burden on the applicant in terms of time and cost.

Constant changes from central government have not helped

The local planning authority are then tasked with consideration of all that information through consultation with the local highway authority, Environment Agency, water authority etc. It all takes time and can lead to delays beyond the government target of dealing with planning applications within 8 to 13 weeks.

Constant changes from central government have not helped. It is widely accepted that there remains an affordable housing crisis across the country.

Yet the government are seemingly distancing themselves from the previously much vaunted target of building...