By 9.20 this morning we have processed 997,130 online planning applications.
I can appreciate that this may not be as exciting for many of you as it is for me but the millionth online planning application represents a huge milestone in the Portals evolution.
When we set out to help e-enable the planning system many believed this was an impossible task. At the time only a very small number of LPAs were contemplating e forms and even fewer had the money or resources to make it happen.
Then as we began to look at creating a unified set of forms that later became 1App we calculated that there were around 12,000 local variations of the forms across England and Wales. This was no issue if you only submitted locally, but for the many thousands of businesses that submitted applications regionally or even nationally it presented a huge problem.
Whilst 1App may be far from perfect I contend that it has helped improve the system and delivered huge efficiencies. I know this to be true from the regular positive feedback I receive.
The millionth application is an opportunity for us to reflect on our journey and take a moment to celebrate our success which I think this is more important than ever right now.
We haven’t done this by ourselves and I’m not claiming the credit for the Portal alone, but for all the LPAs and Agents who saw this was the way forward and supported us and helped make e-planning a reality and for our policy colleagues thay have helped us keep 1App relevant and up to date.
Todays Statistic
If you were to lay out every piece of paper saved by applying online the surface area would be approximately 1,996km2 – that’s enough paper to cover West Sussex or Bristol, Swindon, Greater London and Nottingham combined.
Quite a number of you have responded to my posts on the recent changes to 1App by applauding the improvements but reminding me of the problem of file size limits.
As a result I thought it worthwhile reposting this entry which was first published on Valentines Day.
Thanks. Here it is…
We’ve been talking to some Portal users on Twitter recently about the issue of the 5MB limit on application attachments. We know it’s something that some users find a pain.
Rightly, in a time of superfast broadband (at least for some), why should we be constrained by a relatively small file sizes? Particularly for documents like Design and Access Statements where professional applicants may want to show things like architectural design and details in the best possible light. Read more…
Unbridled excitement is sweeping Portal Towers as our milestone approaches.
By 9.25 this morning we had processed a quite stupendous 996,021 online planning applications.
We anticipate reaching the magic million at some time on Friday.
But what has Dan the Portal’s stats supremo got for us today?
Just 3,979 applications to go…
I can’t tell you how excited I am to report that next week (Wednesday or Thursday) we will process our one millionth planning application.
For those of us who have been with the Portal since the beginning this is a momentous milestone, unimaginable at the start.
Although it’s taken us the best part of 10 years to get here nearly one third of that total have been processed in the last 12 months.
From today forward I’ll be updating the daily total as we get towards the millionth application which we expect on Wednesday or Thursday.
Each day Dan our statsman will provide a nugget of information to illustrate exactly what one million applications equates to while our IT partners IBM are providing the countdown
Day 1
As of 9.30am, Thursday 09 February 2012 the number of applications submitted was 992,127
Today’s stat
1,000,000 online planning applications saved approximately 32,000,000 pieces of paper which would weigh 150 tonnes, approximately the same as a mother blue whale and her calf or two dozen adult elephants.
or for those of us of a northern disposition that’s the same as 614,400 pork pies.
DAY 2
As of 9.30am, Friday 10 February 2012 the number of online applications submitted: 993,222
Today’s stat
1 Million online applications has saved approximately 64,000 reams of standard office copy paper, the equivalent of 3,600 trees.
But what does all that paper look like stacked up high I hear you cry.
Well it would make a very tall tower – 3,360m high. It’s over 4 times higher than the tallest building on Earth, and would be the same height as 7 Empire State Buildings, plus Canary Wharf on top!
DAY 5 As of 9.30am, Monday 13 February 2012 the number of online applications submitted was 994,879
If stacked in reams 1 Million online applications would build a 2M high wall around Regents Park (probably wouldnt get planning permission though!)
We’re always very interested to learn how local authorities are transforming their processes and customer services through new ways of working.
Recently we learned that Doncaster Council’s planning department have worked paperless since 2009.
Reduced budget and resources led them to looking closely at procedures and processes for savings. One outcome was the decision to use technology to achieve efficiencies. Read more…
Our friends and colleagues in DCLG building control this week launched a consultation on changes to the building regulations regime in England.
The consultation aims to streamline the Building Regulations to save businesses money and deliver safer and more sustainable buildings. Read more…
We recently hosted a free event in collaboration with RTPI, RICS, RIBA and CIAT. We have two more planned for the coming weeks.
The theme of the events is ‘Planning for Growth’ and focuses on how new ways of working (such as submitting all your applications online) can help support the Government’s growth plans as well as save you time and money. The audience was mostly planning professionals.
The day went very well: all the speakers presentations were very well received and after lunch, the audience were able to direct their questions to the speakers leading to some vibrant debate. Read more…
Can anyone help with a placement for a second-year architecture student?
Preferably in Bristol or Bath, from February and lasting a month or so.
Great opportunity to imprint your architectural world view on an impressionable young architect (or have someone to fetch the sandwiches!).
This is not a relative – just a public service announcement.
Please contact me and I’ll put you in touch.
Some of you may know that Michelle Banks the Planning Portal’s sponsor (my boss) and Deputy Director, Planning – Development Management, is leaving DCLG at the end of this week.
Michelle has been working with the Portal for the last 4 years or so and has had a hand in much of our success.
I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Michelle for her contribution and in particular for the patience she has shown when guiding me and the Portal team through the choppy waters of the past few years.
I don’t think we’ve been the easiest posting Michelle has ever had and I’m certain I’ve not always been the epitome of calm but Michelle has always taken the time to understand the peculiarities of our business and helped us deliver better outcomes for everyone.
Thanks Michelle and good luck.
Being a dutiful employee of DCLG I return to the nest in Victoria on a weekly basis, partly to pow wow with colleagues in and around the Department and partly keep the portal flag flying in Eland House.
Whilst in town I like to frequent the upmarket coffee bars of Soho and Seven Dials and pick up my beans from the Algerian Coffee store.
If anyone has the time and fancies joining me for a flat white at some point I’d be glad to see you. Alternatively if you would like a more formal get together I’d be very happy to visit your location at any time.
Remember I’m no planner but I’m happy to discuss any aspect of our service, past, present or future.
Let me know (by email if you prefer)
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