With 2023 set to be a challenging year for businesses and consumers alike, the speedy delivery of development projects is of vital importance to our economy. However, resourcing issues currently facing local authority planning teams could dent the economy further still, say Daniel Lugsden (Nash Partnership) and Ian Bell (Business West, The Initiative in BANES) in a joint letter to MPs.
In the letter, Daniel and Ian raised concerns about the current delays in processing planning applications, caused by local authority resourcing issues. They say this will have a negative knock-on effect for the supply of housing and employment space, to the detriment of the general economy as a whole.
A particular issue highlighted in the letter is the slow pace at which listed buildings are being retrofitted to reduce energy consumption. The letter suggested several practical measures the private sector could take to help.
A response to the letter by the then Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities recognises the issues. It says that while the planning system plays a vital role in economic growth, local planning authorities are facing challenges in planning terms. It also mentions the delivery of “targeted interventions to support the development of critical skills and [to] build capacity across local planning authorities… This will include helping authorities to deliver development now and support the future pipeline.” The response also mentions a review of the practical planning barriers that households face, including listed buildings.
If you are facing issues with securing planning permission or would like to discuss retrofitting a heritage property, contact Daniel Lugsden.