NEARLY 90 per cent of local authorities believe that the Government’s housing targets will be impossible to meet due to a lack of planning resources, according to a new joint research report from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU).

The report also found that 64 per cent of builders and 45 per cent of local authorities see lack of planning resources as a barrier to developing more small sites.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Planning departments need a cash injection and we therefore urge the Government to take on board concerns shared by both builders and councils and to allow local authorities the power to increase planning fees.

“Most small local developers are so concerned by the level of service provided by resource-stripped planning departments, they would be happy to foot the bill, provided the raised fees are ring-fenced and result in an improved service.”