Breckland Council faces huge planning backlog after IT error

Breckland Council's planning department is facing a huge backlog in applications dating back more than a month due to issues with its computer software.

The authority had intended to suspend its planning portal for a short period in order to carry out a software update, but this ended up taking weeks longer than expected. 

This has resulted in long delays that will require council officials to request extra time to work through existing applications.

It has also forced them to suspend other planning services while they deal with the "very high workload".

It is not clear exactly how many developments will be held up as a result of this, but the council receives some 140 planning applications every month. 

Breckland Council's offices (Image: Ian Burt) Developers have been unable to submit new applications since September 13 while the planning service transitioned to a new IT system.

While this was expected to be completed two weeks ago, the council only started validating and registering new applications on Monday morning. 

A statement from the council said: "It will take some time to work through the significant backlog of applications.

"Inevitably this will mean that it will be highly unlikely that we will be able to determine applications within the statutory time period and officers will be requesting appropriate extensions of time.

"We apologise for this and would reassure you that we will seek to determine applications as quickly as possible."

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These extensions of time will need to be agreed between the council and the applicant for each application. 

Developments in Thetford may face delays (Image: Denise Bradley) While council officers tackle the backlog, the authority has suspended its pre-application advice service from today until January next year - which offers opinions on the need for applicants to seek planning permission or the likely outcome. 

The council said this was due to a "very high workload" resulting from "the number and complexity of planning applications" being submitted. 

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This comes at a time of huge uncertainty for new housing developments in the district after the council's cabinet voted in favour of pausing its local plan update, which helps determine where housing is built in the years ahead.

The local plan should be reviewed every five years and is set to expire, meaning huge housing developments could push through as the council risks losing control over where new homes are built.