Thanks to all of you who commented on my recent Smarter Planning post suggesting how we might improve the scheme.
I’ve discussed your comments with the team and we have adjusted the terms to reflect your concerns.
In particular, we’ve taken out the mandatory commitment to pay online and introduced additional clarification and flexibility on some of the other terms, including attachment naming.
We’ve republished the professional toolkit on the Portal on this page.
Our account management team are now busy processing the 150 or so other requests we’ve had from planning and building professionals about signing up.
Smarter Planning for local planning authorities
Smarter Planning isn’t just about planning agents. The scheme also extends to local planning authorities.
Smarter Planning is about the Portal working with both agents and LPAs to try and deliver a more effective end-to-end applications process online.
LPAs can also join the scheme by demonstrating best practice in processing online planning applications. So far over 70 LPAs have registered and interest in the scheme and are talking to our account managers about accreditation.
More information for LPAs is available from the Smarter Planning page on the Portal.
A short video featuring a few of my friends
I know it’s fairly irrelevant in the great scheme of things but it put a smile on my face and it’s nice to know you’re out there.
Thanks to those of you that have contributed so far.
Chris
Telford & Wrekin Council wanted to develop a system to let planning move into the 21st Century.
In other words: a system that had the capability to let officers work in a paperless environment, streamlining the business process and taking on board legislative requirements and mobile working. Similar work was carried out with building control. Read more…
This week we are launching an initiative to encourage and support best practice in the electronic submission of planning applications – something close to my heart.
The initiative, called Smarter Planning, is a partnership between planning agents, local planning authorities and the Portal.
It’s a recognition that the industry needs to work together to streamline and improve the planning process – now more than ever. Read more…
A round up of our stats for your delectation!
| 100% | Local authorities using the Portal |
| 300,000+ | Registered users |
| 278,000 | Planning applications in 2011/12 |
| 75% | Householder planning appeal submissions |
| 2m | Annual Building Regulations, Approved Document downloads |
| 80,000+ | E-news subscribers |
| 300,000+ | Monthly visitors |
| 1m | Monthly visits |
| 10m | Monthly page views |
| 2,500+ | Tonnes CO2 saved annually |
| £120m+ | Annual benefits to UK Plc |
Back in April I told you about Bristol City council and its newly launched Agent Accreditation Scheme.
Six months on and the scheme is going from strength to strength. Our head of LPA engagement Scott Alford recently attended their first meeting between the agents and the local authority.
As part of the scheme, participating agents have to attend one of two annual meetings with the council’s planning team to let them know how the scheme is working. Read more…
A big hello from all the folks at the Planning Portal to the new face of Government content.
From today GOV.Uk replaces Direct.Gov as the go to source for all your questions about Government business.
Of course we’ve provided most of the planning content, which links back to us for the detail and the transactions and we’ll be work with the Government Digital team to keep it up to date and useful.
Everybody is doing it, from Facebook to Pinterest, Linkedin to Twitter, it’s a social and business revolution.
Even Local Authorities are using Twitter in innovative ways to inform local folk of neighbourhood issues.
But what I wonder is the potential to improve the planning process?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and while you’re at it join me over on LinkedIn.
Amidst all the doom and gloom, a ray of sunshine.
As this graph clearly shows the number of online submissions continues to grow year on year.
Planning Portal Blog 