New report reveals LPA staffing shortages

A new report from the Home Builders Federation shows that 80% of local planning authorities (LPAs) are operating below full capacity, with many unable to keep up with the rising demand for housing applications.

As a result the delivery of thousands of new homes is being severely delayed as local authority planning departments struggle with severe staffing shortages.

The Planning on Empty report is based on a Freedom of Information (FOI) survey which received responses from 134 LPAs and asked questions regarding local planning department vacancies, use of agency workers, and staff turnovers.

An estimated 2,200 planning officers are needed across England and Wales to address the gap. The government has recognised the issue and has proposed recruiting 300 additional local authority planners to help address the crisis. However, given the estimated shortage the new “graduate and apprentice” planning officers announced in the Budget represent less than 15% of the current shortfall.

The report also looks at staff turnover levels and finds that a quarter of councils had a turnover rate of 15% or more in 2023/24. Almost half of all councils reported that they saw a staff turnover of more than 10% in their planning …