AtkinsRéalis Report Identifies Causes of UK Planning Delays
AEC industry · Project management
An AtkinsRéalis report based on a survey of 200 industry practitioners highlights cumulative friction across the UK planning system, driven by local authority resource shortages, consultee delays, and inconsistent submissions.
An industry report by AtkinsRéalis titled "Planning at Pace: Creating Certainty for Investment and Delivery" examines operational bottlenecks in the UK planning system. Drawing on input from 200 planning professionals, developers, and public sector practitioners, alongside roundtables and investor research, the study indicates that planning delays are extending project delivery timelines and affecting commercial viability. Key friction points identified include local planning authority resource limitations, delays from statutory consultees, and low-quality application submissions.
Key takeaways
- Around 62% of respondents indicated planning timelines heavily influence or determine investment decisions, with over two-thirds viewing decision-making as slow or very slow.
- System friction was attributed to local authority constraints (69%), statutory consultee delays (57%), inconsistent decisions (44%), and assessment complexity (33%).
- Beyond authorities, 39% cited incomplete or low-quality project submissions as having the greatest impact on decision speed.
- The report recommends skills investment, national standard templates, consistent use of digital tools, and improved coordination across environmental and infrastructure frameworks.
Source：Construction Management Read the original ↗
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