For years, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have successfully lured UK Town Planners with the promise of sunshine, skiing, and lucrative job opportunities within familiar planning systems. This exodus has resulted in a growing brain drain that exacerbates the UK’s already pressing planning crisis. As the demand for skilled planners continues to rise, the loss of experienced professionals is leaving critical gaps in the workforce, ultimately stalling development projects and impeding economic progress.
The Planning Shortage: A Stark Reality
According to the Royal Town Planning Institute, the UK will need an additional 25,000 planners by 2030 to meet the growing demands of urban development, infrastructure projects, and housing needs. However, with only 2,000 graduates entering the field each year and a significant number emigrating to Commonwealth countries, projections indicate a staggering shortfall of 15,000 planners. The situation is dire, with 80% of local authorities already reporting planner shortages. These shortages have serious implications for the timely approval of essential development projects, leaving many initiatives in limbo and stalling progress in addressing the UK’s housing crisis.
The Economic Implications of Delayed Planning Approvals
The lack of sufficient planners directly affects the UK economy. When planning approvals are delayed, it creates a bottleneck in development, leading to longer wait times for new housing, commercial projects, and infrastructure improvements. This, in turn, stifles economic growth, restricts job creation, and prolongs the housing crisis that many regions are facing. Without adequate planning resources, local authorities struggle to meet the needs of their communities, resulting in a cycle of inefficiency that hampers the overall quality of life for residents.
A Call to Action: Attracting Talent Back to the UK
To reverse this troubling trend, GKR International - Real Estate Talent Specialists, is proactively working with two of the UK’s largest employers of Town Planners to develop a comprehensive program aimed at attracting talent from Commonwealth countries back to the UK. Our initiative seeks to create an environment where skilled planners can thrive, contribute to vital development projects, and ultimately help revitalise the UK’s planning landscape.
We invite other firms in the real estate and planning sectors to join us in this critical initiative. By collaborating and pooling resources, we can collectively fill the planning gap and reignite development efforts across the UK. Together, we can build a future where efficient planning processes support sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Get Involved
If you are an employer or candidate interested in being part of this program, we encourage you to reach out to us. Whether you are looking to hire talent or explore new opportunities in the planning sector, we are here to help. Call or email me confidentially to discuss how we can work together to address the planning crisis and pave the way for a brighter future for the UK.
