Planners have called for more resources to be given to planning authorities, and have questioned DTLR Minister Lord Falconers enforcement of an eight-week deadline on decisions.
Falconer recently said local authorities should make 80% of decisions within eight weeks, but, on average, only 50% of decisions are within the target.
Huw Moseley, Jones Lang LaSalles City planner, said: “Speed is not the only issue. Bad decisions made early are not better than good decisions made late. If the Corporation of London can manage both, why cant others? They should consider improving salaries.”
A newly qualified planning officers salary in the public sector is around £15,000; a large firm offers £26,000, excluding bonuses and company car.
But Stephen Robinson, of GVA Grimley, said: “An injection of cash would help, especially in places like Tower Hamlets where they slashed planning budgets. But what we really need are ideas and leadership.”
EGi News 13/07/01
