"Planning system can only move as fast as its slowest moving part" says IEMA

12th December 2024

As the UK Government publishes an updated National Planning Policy Framework, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) said properly resourcing the planning system is key to both accelerating house building and safeguarding the environment.

Many public bodies, including statutory consultees and planning departments, often struggle to engage with the planning process due to a lack of capacity and skills.

A recent report by the Office of Environmental Protection said for the system to work more effectively – for the environment and for development – "reform should be grounded in a clear-sighted understanding of the root causes of underlying problems" and cited three fundamental root causes to delays: "access to information, the extent of post-decision monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and access to expertise".

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Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO for IEMA said: “The UK faces a critical challenge: addressing the housing crisis while safeguarding the environment for future generations. Housing pressures are real, but the mandatory target of building 370,000 homes a year will massively increase pressure across the planning system.  

“Investment in 300 new planning officers is a good start – but if we want to speed up the planning system you need to mandate the use of competent experts across the board – not just local planning officers, but also environmental impact assessors and other professionals who are central to ensuring evidence-based practice in the consenting process.  

“That means more capacity building. Growing skills, proper staffing levels, proper pay, so we have well-staffed, well-trained officers throughout the planning system, who can make sensible, timely decisions at the local level, taking into account economy, people and nature, in other words – sustainable economic growth. 

“The planning system can only move as fast as its slowest moving part."

IEMA believes high-quality, evidence-based environmental and social impact assessments (EIA, SEA, SA, HIA, HRA) are essential tools for informed decision-making in the planning process.  

“Let's not forget that in the race to build more homes, we also need to consider the context of wider environmental constraints, such as water availability given that all parts of the UK are projected to have water shortages by 2050 or flood risks increasing if appropriate assessments aren’t undertaken. 

“The UK has an opportunity to get this right: to build high quality homes in the right places, in the right way, for the benefit of society and the environment alike. 

"Sensible planning reform can unlock the potential of the green economy, accelerating low carbon infrastructure and the development of new homes that are consistent with Net Zero carbon reduction targets under a Future Homes Standard."