Cyber-attack halts planning applications and house sales in London's richest borough

"A west London council has admitted 650 planning applications are in limbo' because officers can no longer access systems after being hit by a crippling cyber attack while some private house sales have fallen through. Kensington and Chelsea Council said the live applications are at various stages of the assessment process and had not yet been determined, according to a report before the authority's Environment Select Committee."

"The council still has no access to back-office systems which hold applications, according to the report. This includes the planning register, which it must access to view planning records and public consultation responses to determine applications lawfully. Since the attack on November 24, the council has received 420 new planning applications and officers have reviewed them and been in touch with applicants. It is also still receiving fees for applications."

"Officials are also providing heavily caveated planning advice and are focusing on applications submitted before the attack. The council is still accepting new applications but it is not clear when they will be processed. The exception to this is applications for the Earl's Court Opportunity Area and Lots Road South. The council created a microsite' to upload documents for these major applications, consisting of thousands of new homes, to proceed to committee stage."

A cyberattack on November 24 has prevented Kensington and Chelsea Council officers from accessing back-office systems, including the planning register, leaving 650 live planning applications stalled at various assessment stages. Statutory decision deadlines of eight to 16 weeks cannot be met. The council has received 420 new applications since the attack, reviewed them, contacted applicants, and continues to collect fees while providing heavily caveated advice and prioritising pre-attack submissions. New applications remain accepted but processing timelines are unclear, except for Earl's Court and Lots Road South which use a microsite. Live appeals, enforcement progress, and protected tree consents are affected.

Read at www.standard.co.uk