Agent Accreditation

An update from Adam Telford – the Portal’s head of marketing and communications.

In June Chris Kendall wrote about the Accredited Agents Scheme pilots the Portal would be running as part of our Killian Pretty work.

The idea of the scheme was to accredit those individuals who consistently submit planning applications in a way that helps LPAs process them.

Well, we have run two pilots from September to December.

The Southern pilot included:

• Bath and North East Somerset
• Bristol
• North Somerset
• South Gloucestershire

The Northern pilot included:

• Barnsley
• Bradford
• East Riding
• Kirklees
• Leeds
• Selby

Where the schemes have been used they appear to have added clarity for everyone involved, but they have not seen as much take-up as we would like.

However, we, and importantly ALL the participating LPAs, remain convinced that a scheme like this can deliver real benefits to both those submitting and processing planning applications. We have had a lot of interest in the schemes from professionals that weren’t originally invited to take part and those that are taking part are providing a lot of feedback regarding the processes and requirements involved and the value they receive.

For this reason, we will be continuing the schemes in the New Year with a renewed emphasis on promotion and without a fixed finishing date. We will be hosting events early in the New Year to enable everyone to make their thoughts known and hopefully get their questions answered.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the schemes so far, especially the LPA staff and professionals who have invested their time in improving the system for everyone.

If you would like more information regarding the schemes, please do not hesitate to email adam.telford@planningportal.gsi.gov.uk