Builders that take on staff from councils may be contributing to planning delays. Housebuilders who lure trained planning officers with better salaries are finding their schemes delayed because they are employing the staff who would once have undertaken the task. This comes at a time of increased applications as builders look to meet Prescott’s housing aims. Some borough councils, such as Surrey Heath in Camberley, have announced a temporary reduction in services because the problem is so acute. Andrea Vincent, the council’s acting personnel manager, said: “We have invested in training planning officers, only for them to leave for the private sector as soon as they are qualified.” (Telegraph)