New government data reveals that the number of commercial planning applications approved by local planning authorities in England grew by 9% (7,800 applications in total) compared with 2020. 

Unfortunately this growth does not correlate with the number of schemes which are starting on site,  with figures issued by industry tracker Glenigan, showing commencement of development having plummeted up to 21 percent in the last 3 months compared with the same period in 2021. 

It is not the planning system which has caused such a dramatic drop, rather more understandably the socio-economic events which have occurred recently. 

Materials and labour prices have been increasing and this has had a knock on effect for developers, with some likely deciding to delay development until it is more cost effective to do so. 

Like many I hope this is sooner rather than later..