Changes to the planning service from 9 October 2023

There is a planned reduction in service commencing Monday, 9 October 2023 to deal with backlog applications.

Processing a backlog of applications

We are working hard to provide a better, faster planning service for our customers.

Significant demand for our service in recent years has resulted in a backlog of applications and current workloads remain high. We have started a programme of work which will help us provide faster decisions on applications and reduce the number of cases each officer has in-progress.

We have been working to reduce backlogged applications by issuing as many planning decisions as possible. The headline figures show that this has already had a huge impact, with the number of decisions issued has increased by approximately 30% which has started to make a big difference to the backlog of applications.

To support this, we introduced the following changes to the way we work.

Changes to the way we communicate

We reduced officer contact via email and telephone for an initial 4-week period and we need to extend this for a further 4-weeks until 4th December 2023.

As a result, if you contact a Planning Officer, you will not receive a response to your email or phone call. However, if the planning officer requires further information from you regarding a specific live application or pre-application enquiry, they will contact you.   To stay updated with the progress of a particular application, please check our website here, using the individual application reference number online planning register. If you are seeking planning advice about a potential future scheme or site, please make an application for Pre-Application Advice or a Do I Need Planning Permission enquiry

Reducing determination times

As well as reducing backlogged applications, where a new application can be issued quickly, we will do so. Therefore, to reduce determination times, we will limit opportunities for amendments to be made on applications for planning permission. Where applications are contrary to local and national policy, there will be no opportunity for amendment, and we will communicate that with you. Where an amendment or further information is required to make the scheme acceptable, we will contact you with the changes that are required and a clear deadline for submission of amended plans. If the required amended plans are not received within the given period, we will determine the application as submitted. Moving forward you will have only one opportunity to amend an application to make it acceptable.

Avoiding service delays

Applications submitted with insufficient information at the point of validation can cause delays. We have recently introduced a change to the way we deal with applications when they first come in to be validated and this has successfully helped to reduce validation times. The new process involves an initial check of the application before it is passed to an officer for the formal validation stage to make sure it meets the basic requirements for validation. We will contact you if your application is incomplete, and clearly communicate what we need from you and deadlines to submit this information. The Validation Team will not pick up incomplete applications to undertake the formal validation process. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you ensure applications are complete on submission and respond to any notifications with the required information as soon as possible.

You can help with our improvement work by only contacting us to provide information that we have requested from you, by the given deadline. We strongly encourage you to use the online planning register to view any applications we are processing or comment on an application.

These changes will help us to clear the backlog of cases, reduce determination times. and improve your customer experience.

Amendments will be limited

As well as reducing backlogged applications, where a new application can be issued quickly, we will do so. Therefore, to reduce determination times, we will limit opportunities for amendments to be made on applications for planning permission.

Where applications are contrary to local and national policy, there will be no opportunity for amendment, and we will communicate that with you.

Where an amendment or further information is required to make the scheme acceptable, we will contact you with the changes that are required and a clear deadline for submission of amended plans.

If the required amended plans are not received within the given period, we will determine the application as submitted.

Moving forward you will have only one opportunity to amend an application to make it acceptable.

Ensure you provide sufficient information

Applications submitted with insufficient information at the point of validation can cause delays.

We have recently introduced a change to the way we deal with applications when they first come in to be validated and this has successfully helped to reduce validation times.

The new process involves an initial check of the application before it is passed to an officer for the formal validation stage to make sure it meets the basic requirements for validation. We will contact you if your application is incomplete, and clearly communicate what we need from you and deadlines to submit this information.

The validation team will not pick up incomplete applications to undertake the formal validation process. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you ensure applications are complete on submission and respond to any notifications with the required information as soon as possible.

You can help with our improvement work by only contacting us to provide information that we have requested from you, by the given deadline.

We strongly encourage you to use the Public Access planning register to view any applications we are processing or comment on an application.

These changes will help us to clear the backlog of cases, reduce determination times, and improve your customer experience.

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