Review to improve planning applications in St Albans (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Review to improve planning applications in St Albans

2:30pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

Proposals to improve the planning application process in St Albans will be discussed.

Representatives from the Local Government Association will review how St Albans District Council could improve its planning service, including supporting residents, council and businesses.

The city’s planning service is the busiest of all district councils in England, with around 3,000 applications per year.

The council is hoping to exceed government time targets for deciding all types of planning applications and to maintain a high level of performance.

As a result, a review involving resident representatives, businesses, organisations and community organsations, will take place from today until Wednesday (February 13).

Councillor Teresa Heritage, portfolio holder for planning and conservation at the council, said: "Significant improvements have been made to the council’s planning service and we exceed government targets for the processing of applications. However, the council wants to continue to improve the service, so last year we arranged for this independent review to take place.

"The review team is experienced and will have plenty of ideas of how we can take things forward and make the service even more customer-focused."