Be Prepared for Delays to Council Planning Services
As we approach the end of the year, it’s safe to say, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for many! In the public services sector particularly, we’ve seen a reduction in resource, as a result of the ongoing coronavirus. With staff shortages within the local authorities and much of the remaining staff working from home, we’ve experienced some significant delays to the planning process.
Demand
Following a national trend, there has been a significant increase in planning applications for householder planning permission and pre-application enquiries. Whilst this development activity does signal some positive economic growth, the combination of the increase in demand for the service and a reduced resource has resulted in some significant delays, directly affecting even some of the most otherwise prepared clients.
Delay
Within the normal planning process, following an application via the online planning portal, we would typically expect an application to be validated in 7-10 days. Throughout 2021 we as a business have submitted planning applications on behalf of our clients to several different local authorities, most namely Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Wealden District Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Mid Sussex Council and Sevenoaks District Council. In every case, instead of receiving the validation letter in the usual timeframe, we have received notifications of expected delays to the validation and planning process alike. In addition, there have been many instances of planning officers requesting extensions of time, just days before the expected decision dates.
So what does this mean for our clients and how much time will it all take?
Expectations
Based on our experience of those planning applications submitted throughout 2021, we are currently advising clients to allow for between 12-14 weeks to receive a planning decision, from point of application submittal.
For information on our own, tried and tested approach to the design and management of a construction project and the range of services that we offer, head over to our ‘process’ page.
With the exception of the planning stage, you can also get an indication of the expected timescales that would apply to each of the other stages in our typical workflow, by checking out the FAQ’s page.
Mindful of the current delays and the timescales associated to the carefully considered, design and management of a home extension project, if you are planning an extension for 2022, the time to start planning is NOW!
Contact us today, to arrange your consultation and quotation.
