Housebuilding Target At Risk Over Planning Shortages Union Says

The Government’s housebuilding target is at risk because of a shortage of council planners, according to new research.

Unison said its study found that one in 10 council planning jobs in England were vacant, which the union said was slowing decisions.

The research revealed widespread shortages across planning roles, leaving councils struggling to process applications and keep pace with the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes by 2029, said Unison.

Many planning applications are in a queue to be registered, with no timeframe for approval or rejection, said the report.

Unison’s head of local government Mike Short said: “Councils are being asked to deliver 1.5 million new homes to boost growth, but they don’t have enough planners to process applications quickly and effectively.

“Delays are increasingly common, slowing down development and leaving communities waiting longer for the homes and infrastructure they need.

“Without proper investment in planning staff, the Government’s bold housing ambitions will be almost impossible to deliver.”

The findings will be discussed at Unison’s local government conference in Brighton on Monday.

Published: 15/06/2026 by Radio NewsHub