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Written question asked by Stuart Andrew (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 December 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2025. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Friday, 10 January 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Planning Authorities: Staff

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Written Statement of 30 July 2024 on Building the homes we need, HCWS48, how many of the new planning officers will have the expertise to handle historic and traditionally constructed buildings.

Answer

At the Budget, the Chancellor announced a £46 million package of investment to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities.

We are working with delivery partners to understand how we can scale delivery and fund the recruitment and training of an additional 300 planners as part of that investment. This includes expansion of the Pathways to Planning programme which has had significant interest from prospective graduates wanting to take up roles in local planning authorities and train while they work.

In relation to the specific skills needed in managing historic buildings, we are developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, including Historic England, to ensure that local planning authorities have the types of skills, both now and in the future. More details will be announced in due course.

This will be further underpinned by increases in planning fees we are introducing in the coming months that will help improve the resourcing of planning services, so that LPAs can fund the skills they need.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
21294
Session
2024-26
Related items
Building the homes we need
Tuesday, 30 July 2024
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Staff Planning authorities
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk