UK architecture is still being bogged down by delays in spite of a positive outlook, says latest RIBA Future Trends report
The Royal Institute of British Architects has released their August 2024 RIBA Future Trends Report. The report finds that although architects generally have a better outlook for the future, processing planning applications are still causing delays to projects.
Architects expect higher workloads
The report details that the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index has increased by one point to +2, highlighting an expected increase of overall workloads for architects. Over the next three months, 23% of architectural firms expect an increase, while 21% expect a decrease and 55% expect no change.
In turn, this means the outlook for small practices (1-10 staff members) improved by four points to a workload index of -2, while medium and large practices (11-50 staff members and 51+ staff members, respectively) dropped by 11 points to a still-optimistic +33.
Regionally, the south of England rose to +8 points, the north of England rose to +12, the Midlands and East Anglia fell to +6 points, while London rose to -4, and Wales and the West fell to -9 points. Overall, a positive outlook despite architecture planning delays.
Planning delays are still throwing a spanner in the works
In the wake of the government’s announcement of planning reforms, the report’s survey asked practices in 2021 and 2023, whether architecture planning delays had caused projects to be delayed or abandoned:
19% of practices who responded reported projects being abandoned in the last three months, compared to 22% in 2023 and 7% in 2021
35% reported a project being delayed up to a month, 38% in 2023 and 39% in 2021
57% reported a project being delayed between one and six months, 59% in 2023 and 60% in 2021
42% reported projects delayed by more than six months, 47% in 2023 and 30% in 2021
18% report no projects delayed, 15% in 2023 and 22% in 2021
RIBA head of economic research and analysis, Adrian Malleson, said: “While architects have a positive outlook on workloads overall, we are yet to see a resurgence in confidence across the board. Smaller practices have not yet consistently demonstrated an optimistic view of near-term workload growth.
“Despite this, the strong and improving outlook on permanent staffing levels indicates that many practices are preparing for long-term growth by recruiting staff. The gradual recovery in the private housing sector is also encouraging.
“Summer can be a quiet period, but workloads may increase as the year progresses. Practices report persistent issues including elevated interest rates, competition for architectural services from outside the profession, cash-flow challenges, and planning delays.
“Overall, the speed with which planning applications are processed continues to hold back architects, the economy, and the creation of the buildings our county needs.
“We will continue to report our findings to the Government and work with other built environment bodies to monitor these trends.”
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