Development Management pressures continue as councils balance caseloads and recruitment gaps

Development Management teams are reporting sustained pressure as application volumes remain steady while experienced officers continue to move between authorities. Many councils are operating with leaner teams than they would prefer, creating longer determination times and increasing reliance on interim staff.

The most acute gaps remain in senior DM roles, where authorities need officers capable of handling complex applications, negotiating with developers, and managing committee‑level reporting. Recruitment activity is expected to remain high through the autumn as councils attempt to stabilise teams ahead of winter workloads.

Authorities investing in clearer workflows, digital validation tools, and structured triage processes are seeing the quickest improvements. The market continues to reward candidates with strong negotiation skills and experience in major applications.