SHDC
first takes the hassle out of planning
Press release - Wednesday,
09 May 2007
For the first time in Devon, a tool has been made available
to help residents save time and money on basic planning enquiries.
The Expert Planning resource is provided online by South Hams
District Council. It lets residents know whether or not they
require planning permission for a particular home development
project.
The resource works by asking a series of simple questions and
gathering basic details of the land or property and the proposed
development. Users can work through the questions at their own
pace, saving enquiries for completion at a later date.
SHDC’s Head of Planning and Building Control, Stephen
Munday, said: “As a quick, easy and cost-free means of
finding out whether you need planning permission for a home improvement
or more substantial development, the Expert Planning resource
is ideal.
“It’s available via the council website – www.southhams.gov.uk and
if you find you want to speak to a member of SHDC’s Planning
team, by simply quoting your Expert Planning reference number
when you call, the Planning Officer can bring up your inputted
information immediately.”
The service is free to use, available 24/7 throughout the year,
and users simply have to log on to the council’s website,
click in the ‘Residents’ tab and follow the links
to ‘Planning’ to give it a go.
SHDC Executive member for Access to the Council’s Services,
Cllr Nicky Barnes, said: “The SHDC website is perhaps the
easiest and most cost effective way for residents to access council
services.
“This Expert Planning resource, which I’m pleased
to say is a first for Devon, is only one in a long line of services
we’re bringing on to www.southhams.gov.uk.
It follows the introduction last year of a website resource that
allows residents to read applications and related papers online.
“According to monitoring, the planning application viewer
pages are consistently well-attended, and initial indicators
suggest the Expert Planning resource will enjoy the same level
of success.”
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