4 March 2005
PILOT PLANNING SERVICE SCHEME TO SPEED UP PROCESS
The DOE Planning Service announced today a further move in its commitment to speed up the planning process, with the start of a pilot scheme to return all invalid planning applications.
Jim Wilkinson, of the Planning Service, said: "This is another positive step forward in our programme of modernisation. Almost a quarter of all planning applications submitted do not include sufficient information, or correct fee to allow the application to be processed. Time spent on these incomplete applications creates lengthy delays in the planning process and impacts on all of our customers."
From 14 March, the Belfast Divisional Planning Office will return incomplete planning applications, together with the planning fee and an explanation of the reasons for return.
"This action is not intended to leave customers high and dry. In advance of the pilot, planning application forms were re-designed to make them more user-friendly and the "Guidance Notes for Applicants" were revised to help make applicants aware of the information required by Planning Service. A checklist for applicants was introduced last year to help in completing the application process also. We believe this will speed up the planning process and improve the overall quality of applications," Mr Wilkinson said.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The number of planning applications has doubled. The Planning Service has received over 33,000 planning applications this year, double the number in the past 10 years, and the figure continues to grow rapidly. Almost a quarter of these applications could not be processed because of missing information or incorrect fee.
- The move to return invalid applications follows on from the Modernisation Planning Processes Consultation Paper where it received huge support.
- The scheme will be piloted in the Belfast Divisional Planning Office and reviewed after two months before it is rolled out across the remaining planning offices.
- Help is available for our customers from the re-designed application forms and revised "Guidance Notes for Applicants" from Planning Offices and on the website; www.planningni.gov.uk
- Further details on The Modernising Planning Processes Implementation Plan are available on the website or by writing to Modernising Planning, Planning Service Headquarters, Millennium House, 17-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BN.
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