The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce warned on 25 February 2026 that a slow and unpredictable planning system is holding back new homes and business growth in Reading, Berkshire.
A recent report by the British Chambers of Commerce found that planning departments are under-resourced and struggle to meet the needs of the economy. Business leaders say this unpredictability is stopping long-term investment in commercial spaces and local infrastructure.
In Reading, the council’s update to its local development rules has been stuck with Government Inspectors since it was submitted in May 2025, according to local group CADRA. The Chamber warned that this delay, alongside hold-ups for projects like the new flats at Broad Street Mall, means the town is waiting longer for housing and improvements.
The Chamber is calling for the government to hire more than 1,400 new planning staff to help clear the backlog and treat space for jobs as a priority. Even though planning fees increased on 1 April 2025, many firms say they have not seen any change in how fast decisions are reached.
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