The Government’s Planning Portal is aiming to forge greater links with the English local planning authorities (LPAs) by providing them with the tools that will see them save time, money and effort when dealing with daily planning inquiries.
Since its launch in 2002, the Portal has played a key role in supporting LPAs’ move toward electronic working and in driving common standards and best practice.
Delivered by Communities and Local Government, it aims to become the first port of call for planning and building information and services.
Planning departments in England have this month taken delivery of the Planning Portal’s Best Practice Guide – a toolkit which provides helpful advice on how LPAs can reduce the amount of time staff spend on general planning inquiries, simply by implementing effective click-through links to the Planning Portal website.
It is envisaged that significant time and cost savings will be made by the LPAs, simply by empowering website users to educate themselves on relevant aspects of the planning process.
Free, high-level planning information for everything including the installation of a satellite dish to a loft conversion will be just one click away from the local authority’s website.
Website traffic will also increase simply by increasing the quality of the information available.
Chris Kendall, Director of the Planning Portal said: "The guide has been introduced to help outline the main benefits that can be achieved by simply implementing effective linking practices between LPAs and the Planning Portal. Many LPAs are already reaping these benefits and are providing a higher quality of service, saving money, time and effort as a result."
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