A lack of resources within planning departments is one of the biggest reasons for a severe shortage of affordable housing in the UK, according to Linea Homes, which recently stated that as many as 9 out of 10 applications are delayed by 6 months or more owing to a shortage of staff and inefficient processes within local planning departments.

In 2005, the Barker Review of Housing Supply stated that 250,000 homes should be built in the UK every year to address the shortage of affordable homes. However, housebuilding levels have failed to meet that target year on year owing to severe delays with planning applications that could be avoided, Gavin Sherman, co-owner of Linea Homes, said.

Sherman added: “We are not alone in experiencing severe delays with our planning applications that are complete with professional reports and are policy compliant. Local authorities are so under resourced that they simply can’t acknowledge and administer the number of applications they are receiving. Some officers only work two days a week, which makes it impossible for them to deal with the workload they are given.”