For many clients, one of the most frustrating aspects of a project is waiting for planning permission. Understandably, delays can cause concern, with questions about why the process is taking so long and where responsibility lies. While the design and submission stages are within the architect’s control, the pace of decision-making once an application is lodged rests with the local planning authority. Increasingly, the challenge lies not in the quality of applications but in the resourcing of planning departments themselves.

Why Resourcing Matters

Planning authorities across the country are under considerable strain. Budget cuts, staff shortages, and rising caseloads mean that officers often face an unmanageable workload. Even when an application is well-prepared, it may take longer to be allocated, reviewed, and progressed simply because there are fewer people available to handle it. For applicants, this can translate into weeks or even months of delay, despite everything having been submitted correctly and on time.

The Impact on Clients and Projects

From a client’s perspective, these delays can feel frustrating and disruptive, especially when a project timeline is carefully planned around anticipated approval dates. It is important to understand, however, that this is not a reflection of the design work or the thoroughness of the submission. As architects, we take great care to provide clear, compliant applications that address planning policy, heritage considerations, and technical requirements. Once submitted, though, the timing of the decision is determined by the council’s capacity to process it.

Managing Expectations

While we cannot influence the speed of local authority decision-making, we can help clients prepare for it. By building realistic timescales into project planning, and by maintaining open communication with planning officers where possible, we work to minimise uncertainty. In some cases, early engagement through pre-application discussions can provide valuable clarity before a full application is submitted, helping to smooth the process.

At Walters Architects, our role is to guide clients through these challenges with honesty and transparency. Planning departments play a vital role in shaping our built environment, but current resourcing pressures mean that delays are often unavoidable. By understanding the reasons behind them, clients can approach their projects with more realistic expectations and greater confidence in the process.