The Isle of Wight Council’s planning service is to bring in a number of changes to the way it works, aimed at improving efficiency, bringing it in line with modern work practices and reducing costs.
Following a successful trial with Cowes Town Council, the local authority will now only email planning documents to town and parish councils instead of posting paper copies – which will reduce costs.
Anyone wanting an appointment with a planning officer will now need to book a meeting via the planning department. Other changes involve back-office work aimed at freeing-up more officer time.
As previously announced, the planning service will introduce a schedule of charges for pre-application advice, which will come into effect by the end of September. These are aimed at improving the service to individuals that are planning development proposals.
All planning applications will continue to be uploaded to the council’s website www.iwight.com and coloured planning notices will continue to be erected on properties that are subject to an application, so nearby residents are aware.
No jobs will be lost as part of the changes. It is anticipated any changes will come into effect on a phased basis over the summer, with a view to all being implemented by the end of September.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Isle of Wight Council Executive member for planning, said:
“These changes will modernise the planning service which is currently using methods that are outdated for the 21st century.
Article continues below this advertisement “Technology, and how we work with local councils, has moved on since the days that sending letters and advertising in the local paper was the only practical way to provide documents or inform residents of planning applications.
“We are confident these changes will make our planning service much more efficient while at the same time reducing costs.”
Current and previous planning applications can be viewed at www.iwight.com/planning.
