Developers and builders are being asked to show their support for a Government-funded scheme to speed up council planning decisions.
Staff shortages in local authority planning departments have been causing long delays – and business leaders have been warning that this delays important investment.
In response Chancellor Jeremy Hunt set aside £3million in his budget for a programme which aims to increase skills and capacity in Local Planning Authorities.
The scheme, set up by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and founding partner Aviva, establishes a five-year industry-led programme to increase skills and capacity in Local Planning Authorities (LPA).
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and its national umbrella body had both sent pre-Budget letters asking for financial support – and in his statement, Mr Hunt pledged the money as match funding to the LPA.
Now Staffordshire Chambers – who told Mr Hunt “reform of the creaking planning system is long overdue” – have written to Local Planning Authorities across the county, encouraging them to contact the BCC and find out more about the programme and any potential support.
Stakeholder groups including developers and builders are also being urged to support the BCC in taking the programme forward.
Declan Riddell, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Policy Adviser, pictured above, said: “In addition to supporting LPA, we’re keen to raise awareness amongst other stakeholder groups who have an interest in making sure that LPA have adequate skills and capacity to turn around planning decisions.
“Any delays only serve to pause investment and growth. So we’re also looking for these stakeholder groups to reach out to the BCC and find out how they can offer their commitment in growing the programme.”
The British Chambers of Commerce/ Aviva programme will pay for at least 100 undergraduate and Masters level qualifications for people entering the planning industry, and for people already working in LPA who need to develop skills for more senior planning roles.
This support will meet the cost of the learner’s training and will aim to facilitate work experience and jobs within LPA.
The Government’s restricted match funding will ensure that newly-trained planning staff meet the condition of remaining employed for at least two years, post qualification.
Business leaders seeking more information can contact Jane Gratton (Deputy Director – Public Policy) at British Chambers of Commerce on: [email protected]
