Delays warning as council planning departments hit with major workload rise

Councils have warned of delays to the planning process, triggered by a big increase in applications.

Calderdale Council published a public notice on its online planning portal, telling people to expect “unavoidable delays.”

And it is not the only authority in West Yorkshire contending with this problem.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, Councillor Jane Scullion, said: “Like many other authorities across the country, we’re currently experiencing an increase in the number of planning application that we are receiving.

“Officers are dealing with around a 25% increase in applications, which alongside changes made to accommodate remote working has meant that some delays are currently being experienced.

“We appreciate that delays are frustrating and we are putting additional resources in place and working proactively to tackle the backlog.”

Wakefield Council says its own planning process is also having to cope with a big increase in applications.

Bronwen Knight, service director for planning, transportation and strategic highways at Wakefield Council, said: “Like many local authorities we have, since last April, seen a large increase in the number of applications for home improvement projects.

“The increased demand means it is taking longer than usual to process applications.

“This is a national trend, reflecting the popularity of home improvements, during the pandemic period.

“We’re working hard to progress all of the applications and ask for customers’ patience, as we are working as quickly and efficiently as possible to deal with the demand.”

Leeds City Council says it is experiencing a high demand for planning consents as it continues to progress with its COVID-19 recovery. It is even looking to take on staff to handle the extra work.

Its spokesman added: “In particular, we have seen a significant increase in applications for small householder developments as individual homeowners look to make improvements.

“To help meet the increase in demand, we are actively recruiting to the vacant posts, including to additional temporary posts to assist with the current workloads.

“We have also revised and streamlined the process for dealing with householder applications, to reduce the time spent on each one.

“Similarly, applications to discharge conditions of permissions already granted are being dealt with under a revised process to allow for quicker release of decisions.”

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “Bradford’s planning section have received 30% more applications of all types in the last 12 months compared with the previous year. This is a significantly increased workload.

“We have put in place measures to streamline parts of the process which mean we haven’t seen delays in determining applications.”