Thank you for your reply, this was really helpful in understanding more about the way the council works. The developer doesn't know EXACTLY what the report is... but, like you said, it is the report needed to present the application in the MONTHLY meeting, which is now going to be, apparently, on the 8th July. I guess I am totally at the council's mercy, and will just have to hang in there and hope they do their job - although I still think it is disgraceful that they have postponed the meeting for a whole month and a half, and STILL not managed to do a single report. On top of that, the council's office is literally about 5 minutes walk from the development, so not a lot of excuses for not getting it done really (if I didn't do MY job and was two months late on deadlines, I would AT THE VERY LEAST be disciplined, possibly fired). I guess I will stay in touch with the developer, to make sure they keep a gentle pressure on for the officer to complete his report, and pray that everything goes well. Thanks again for your reply, much appreciated.

Hi everyone! About 4 months ago I put a reservation fee down for a newbuild (2 bedrooms), which I will purchase through HomeBuy Direct scheme. Everything going smoothly, building almost finished (ahead of schedule even), mortgage offer in place, paperwork complete and ready - JUST WAITING FOR THE COUNCIL TO PUT A RUBBER STAMP ON!!!!! Planning was meant to be given at the end of May - council delayed, their excuse was "because of the general elections" (I'm a teacher, I work for the government too, we didn't stop working because of the election). Anyway, they said they would do the stamp/planning meeting TODAY (10/11 June). Yesterday I found out they have pushed it back ANOTHER month, until the 8th July, because somebody didn't complete some sort of report (don't know exactly what, I will try to find out more today). In the meantime, my mortgage offer is now going to expire - which means not only stressing for a new one, but maybe paying another arrangement fee, PLUS I have to find somewhere to RENT for a whole month and a half, which AGAIN, means money and stress. All this not even knowing for sure that on the 8th the council isn't going to come up with ANOTHER excuse and push the date back AGAIN. I think they are having a laugh - are they REALLY allowed to do this? Don't they have any kind of obligations, rules, or timeframes/deadlines that they need to stick to? It seems they are living in their own little world and completely disregard the fact that people have LIVES to live, and that a roof on your head is quite an important part of it! I guess my questions are: - Are they allowed to do this - Can I sue them - Is there ANYTHING that can be done to speed the process (like telling them my situation, and asking them to PLEEEEASE fill in that report and put the stamp on so we can exchange contracts) - What are REALLY the reasons behind all this delay - Has anybody ever been in the same situation? - Surely the council has an obligation to say YES or NO within a defined amount of time? Forgot to mention - the reason the developer is still waiting for planning, while the building is already finished, is that they had to apply for a change of use (originally flats designed for GP and affordable housing - then changed terms) Sorry about the rant... but I'm so upset, this is the second time they delay (of a whole month, like it's nothing), and I was supposed to exchange TOMORROW.