The Government could fail to hit its targets for house building and regeneration because of 'chronic problems' in the planning system.

A report by the Communities and Local Government Select Committee today will highlight a lack of skilled planners as the root cause of the potential paralysis in the planning system.

The report states: 'Perhaps the most surprising, and frustrating, point to arise repeatedly from this inquiry is the fact that labour and skills shortages in planning are so unsurprising. This must change. Without this capacity, our towns, our cities and our economy will be threatened either by paralysis or chaotic and under-regulated growth.'

The committee warns that despite repeated warnings, little has been done to deal with the problem of skills shortages in the sector. Up to 46% of local authority planning posts could be affected by the skills shortage by 2012, according to the report.

Daily Telegraph