In major UK cities it can now take at least six months to determine a major new planning application as developers and local authorities point to a lack of resources within council planning departments. 

The average 'submission to determination' time for a major planning application is now 32 weeks across London, Greater Manchester and Bristol and the surrounding area, which double the government target of 13 weeks. In addition to this, and despite a worsening housing crisis, the overall volume of major applications determined in London fell by 26%, according to the fourth Annual Planning Survey from the British Property Federation and GL Hearn, part of Capita plc.

Both public and private sector respondents to the survey expressed concern with the lack of resources available to local planning authorities. Over half (55%) of local authorities say under-resourcing is a significant challenge and half (50%) believe the planning system is not operating as well as it was in 2010. 

A significant 75% of applicants are dissatisfied with the length of time a planning application takes – up from 71% last year. The survey found that nearly two thirds (65%) of applicants would be happy to pay more if it would shorten determination times. 

Key regional findings include:

• In London, the average submission to determination time is 34 weeks – 6 weeks longer than last year’s study (28 weeks) but a modest improvement from 2011/12 when it stood at 37 weeks;
• The average submission to determination time is 27 weeks in both Greater Manchester, Bristol and the surrounding area;
• The volume of major planning applications determined has fallen by 26% in London, increased by 19% in Manchester, and stayed the same in Bristol and the surrounding area;
• In line with diminishing land opportunities in the capital, densification is a more prevalent priority for applicants in London (47%) compared to applicants in the North West (14%).

Shaun Andrews, GL Hearn’s head of investor and developer planning, said: “In order to get Britain building again, we need to get Britain planning. Development activity is critical for our economy, not least in order to tackle the urgent housing crisis. This year’s Annual Planning Survey shows that the planning system needs investment – and that requires action across the board. 

“We need to ensure that planning authorities have the right people with the right skills and powers in place to drive forward a growth agenda – and that the system is able to release the right resources when it’s needed."

Melanie Leech, chief executive at the British Property Federation, added:  “This report shows quite clearly that local authority planning departments are struggling to cope as a result of the efforts to find savings across the public sector, and that this is having a negative impact on local authorities’ ability to  deliver a timely and efficient service. 

"The fact of the matter is that an effective planning system is crucial to enabling regeneration and development, and if government wants to meet the housing challenge and develop the commercial buildings that support our economy, it is going to need to take action."