Almost 90% of council planning departments understaffed despite housebuilding push, warns HBF

By Alex Funk2026-09-01T10:39:00

New NPPF puts already under-resourced planning teams under further stress, says new report

Almost nine in 10 local authority planning departments across England and Wales are experiencing staff shortages despite government reforms, according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

The findings from the body’s survey of councils during the 2025/26 financial year showed that the average council employs fewer than 36 planning staff but requires around 44 to operate at full capacity.

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