Planning delays and uncertainty are threatening the viability of major UK infrastructure and housing projects, with new research from AtkinsRéalis finding that 62% of respondents consider planning timelines a significant influence on investment decisions.
The engineering and nuclear services company’s report, Planning at Pace: Creating Certainty for Investment and Delivery, identifies persistent weaknesses in the planning system that are extending project timelines, increasing uncertainty and potentially discouraging investment.
Drawing on the views of more than 200 planning professionals, developers and public sector practitioners, alongside industry roundtables and investor research, the study examines the relationship between planning performance, project viability and investment confidence.
The findings come as the UK Government seeks to accelerate housing delivery, modernise infrastructure and stimulate economic growth through planning reform and increased investment.
Planning uncertainty emerges as a major investment risk
The research found that 69% of respondents considered planning decision-making slow or very slow, with 40% describing it as slow and 29% as very slow.
However, AtkinsRéalis argues that the challenge extends beyond the time taken to secure planning approval.
The report identifies predictability and consistency as important factors influencing whether developers and investors commit funding to projects.
Some 62% of respondents said planning timelines either significantly influenced investment decisions or were a major determinant.
For major infrastructure programmes, uncertainty during planning can affect investment sequencing, procurement strategies, construction schedules and the ability to secure financing.
The findings suggest that improving the reliability of planning decisions could be as important as reducing the overall time required to obtain approval.
Chris Ball, UK & Ireland President at AtkinsRéalis, said planning certainty was essential to converting investment proposals into deliverable projects.
“A streamlined planning system is pivotal to the successful delivery of the UK’s infrastructure pipeline, but this research confirms that certainty is just as important as speed in building investor confidence and shifting more projects into delivery,” he said.
Local authority capacity and statutory consultees drive delays
The study identifies several interconnected factors contributing to delays across the planning process.
Local planning authority resource constraints were identified by 69% of respondents, making them the most frequently cited challenge among these factors.
Statutory consultee delays were highlighted by 57%, while 44% identified inconsistent decision-making and 33% pointed to the complexity of planning assessments.
The research also examined factors beyond the direct control of local planning authorities.
Some 39% of respondents identified incomplete or poor-quality planning submissions as having the greatest impact on decision-making speed, while 52% attributed delays to statutory consultee input.
The findings indicate that delays often accumulate across multiple stages rather than arising from a single obstacle.
This creates challenges for project teams attempting to establish reliable development programmes, particularly where planning approvals are linked to financing arrangements or subsequent procurement activities.
Report calls for better coordination and digital planning tools
AtkinsRéalis recommends a series of measures intended to improve planning efficiency and provide greater certainty for developers and investors.
These include expanding skills and capacity within local planning authorities, introducing standardised national templates and reforming consultation processes.
The report also calls for more consistent use of digital tools and stronger coordination between planning, environmental and infrastructure approval processes.
Rather than relying solely on regulatory reform, the research emphasises the importance of changing working practices and improving collaboration between organisations involved in planning decisions.
Ball said investment in professional skills and technology would be important to improving performance.
“Investment in skills, a delivery-focused culture and the effective, consistent use of digital tools will all positively impact productivity and pace across the planning process,” he said.
The report acknowledges recent reforms and recruitment of additional planning professionals but suggests that their effectiveness will depend on implementation across the wider planning system.
Implications for infrastructure project delivery
The findings have implications for organisations responsible for developing and delivering major infrastructure programmes.
Planning uncertainty can complicate early-stage project development, particularly where construction activity depends on multiple approvals, environmental assessments and consultations with statutory bodies.
The report’s emphasis on consistent decision-making and integrated processes is relevant to project sponsors seeking greater confidence in programme schedules and investment commitments.
For project management professionals, the research highlights the importance of planning-stage risk management, stakeholder coordination and the quality of information submitted for approval.
It also reinforces the need to consider planning processes as part of wider project delivery arrangements rather than as a separate regulatory requirement.
AtkinsRéalis concludes that improving planning certainty will be central to attracting investment and accelerating the delivery of housing, infrastructure and regeneration projects.
Its recommendations focus on ensuring that recent reforms translate into more predictable decisions, stronger institutional capacity and improved coordination throughout the development process.
