The association representing housebuilders in England and Wales has called on the Government to do more to tackle the staffing shortage in local planning authorities.
New analysis by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) found that three-quarters of councils reported average Section 106 negotiation timescales exceeded 12 months.
Section 106 agreements between local authorities and developers set out the contributions developers must make to support the local community, such as funding for schools and roads.
The HBF identified the lack of capacity in local planning authorities (LPAs) as a key factor in these delays.
It estimates that 80% of LPAs are now operating below full capacity, with an additional 2,200 planning officers needed across England and Wales to close the staffing gap.
The Government has proposed the recruitment of 300 new local authority planners, but the HBF said this would account for less than 15% of the current shortfall.
Neil Jefferson, chief executive at the Home Builders Federation, commented: ‘[W]e now need to see meaningful action to increase capacity at a scale commensurate with the importance of the challenge.’
