Warning that planning issues in Portsmouth must be resolved soon as applications pile up

Residents and developers across Portsmouth have been kept waiting several months to hear if their planning applications have even been validated to move on to the next stages - a process that usually takes up to 10 days.

It comes as the city council's planning department was hit by a 'perfect storm' of issues in 2020 - starting with a need to mitigate nitrogen pollution at the start and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.

James Potter, from Southsea-based architectural practice James Potter Associates, said one of his clients was left waiting more than 20 weeks for just the validation of a 'standard' application. And in that time he struggled to make contact with the department.

'We understand the situation with coronavirus, however, that doesn't excuse the fact that we heard nothing for all that time,' he said.

'We have been dealing with other councils in the area and they've been good at staying in contact and working through things.

'One of the knock on effects we're now having is to work with clients on what can start before the main application is accepted to get things going and to provide work for builders.'

Anchorage Park resident, Amy Carden, said she almost 'wished we hadn't applied' for a two-storey extension on their semi-detached house.

The 34-year-old mum of two has been waiting since July to hear anything from the council. She said: 'It's just the unknown. We have absolutely no idea how long this is going to take.

'The point was to make it our forever home, rather than having to move out to somewhere bigger.'

Concerns were raised during a full council meeting this week where Tory group leader Councillor Donna Jones said 'we know we need to do something about this.'

In a letter from the council's assistant director of planning, Ian Maguire, to councillors it revealed three permanent roles in the department will start by the end of this year.

And it is planned recently hired contractor Terraquest will process a further 193 applications by spring.

SEE ALSO: Developers losing out as nitrates deadlock continues

Speaking at the meeting deputy leader Cllr Steve Pitt said new developments were needed as part of the economic recovery from Covid.

'Building back is what we are going to have to do,' he said.

'We are going to have to get major construction projects around the city moving. We need those skilled people around the city to be able to work. It would be an absolute crime if we had work that could be happening but it was held up by our planning department.'

Portsmouth City Council makes decisions on between 800 and 1,000 planning applications every year.

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