Flintshire Council warns of planning delays amid “high volumes of case work” and shortage of staff

Residents and developers in Flintshire have been warned to expect delays in planning applications, enquiries, and enforcement complaints as the council’s planning department faces a severe shortage of staff.

The Flintshire council announced through a statement on its planning portal that the Development Management Team is currently experiencing “high volumes of case work together with reduced resource resulting from a number of vacancies.”

This situation, they explain, is impacting the department’s ability to deliver services in a timely manner.

“We are looking to increase capacity as quickly as we can but the service is likely to be impacted until late Autumn,” the statement reads.

“We would ask you to be patient whilst we work through this period.”

The warning comes at a time when the department is dealing with a large number of planning applications and development projects.

The delay could potentially affect a range of applications, from small-scale residential improvements to significant commercial developments.

Flintshire’s residents and developers are urged to consider the current challenges and make appropriate plans for any potential delays in the planning process.

The situation underscores a broader issue facing many public sector departments across the UK: the struggle to fill vacancies and retain skilled staff in key areas.

Whether due to budget constraints, changes in the workforce, or other factors, the challenge of maintaining robust public services continues to be a pressing concern.