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Change request wish-list results revealed

Local authorities have voted on a list of key Planning Portal issues relating to the implementation and processing of electronic applications.

To help the Planning Portal prioritise system changes local authorities were asked to review a list of issues and vote for their top five priority change requests. A total of 15 change requests have been highlighted as top priority.

The wish-list of change requirements was created through discussion with local planning authorities implementing e-planning business processes in their councils.

The issue which attracted the highest number of votes (at 16.9 per cent) related to incorrect scale being shown on plans or plans not being scalable.

Others included the difficulties LPA experience when 'Some supporting documents are submitted online while others are posted', 'No existing or proposed plans submitted with application', 'A0 Plans submitted’ and 'Resubmissions: No Instructions on how to submit additional information or how to use resubmission facilities'.

For a detailed list of issues and the order of priority following voting please follow the link below.

Steps are now being taken to resolve these issues include additional guidance for applicants to help avoid common errors when submitting an application online and detailed instructions and guidance on using the resubmission functions.

Although the majority of issues will be addressed through these changes, four of the change requests flagged up require amendments to the functionality of the existing application process or to the current application forms. These will be resolved when 1APP is introduced later this year.

The remaining 17 change requests which did not attract a high number of votes, will be tackled and resolved as a lower priority.

Position

Description (click description for our solution)

Votes (%)

 1

Incorrect scale on plans or plans not scalable

16.9

 2

Some supporting documents submitted online, others posted

8.6

 3

No existing or proposed plans submitted with application

7.2

 4

Plans submitted on A0 size paper

6.9

 5

Resubmissions: No instructions on how to submit additional information or how to use resubmission facilities

6.1

 6

Application fee: Fee details are not included in email sent to LPA

5.2

 7

Incorrect forms provided in application

5.0

 8

No indication of relationship of proposal to existing building

3.8

 9

Listed Building applications: Incorrect fee of £135 applied

3.6

 10

Resubmissions Process: More help and guidance

3.3

 11

Certificate of Ownership B: Certificate only holds details of one owner

3.0

 12

Site location plan: Site marked in red but printed off in black and white

2.7

 13

Inappropriate use of Householder form (dwellings affected/ PD rights /affected units)

2.7

 14

All application forms: guidance on signatures required

2.7

 15

No details of floor area (existing or proposed) supplied on application form

2.7

 

 

 

 16

Extraneous information submitted on application form

2.5

 17

Resubmissions: No version control to track/limit

2.2

 18

Printed versions of certificates of ownership must have signature

1.9

 19

No annotation of photographs

1.9

 20

No acoustic report submitted with application

1.6

 21

No information on number of dwellings affected by the application

1.3

 22

Lawful Development Certificates: no detail on number of dwellings affected

1.3

 23

Listed Building application: Elevation and section drawings not in accordance with English Heritage standards

1.1

 24

Listed Building application: No English Heritage development justification

1.1

 25

Naming and access of function

1.1

 26

Location plan bought via Portal map service not attached to application

1.1

 27

Applicant complaint: No fee requested but required for validation

0.5

 28

Householder form: No indication of floors affected by application

0.3

 

Changes to all but 3 of the Top 15 Issues are being addressed:

 Guidance for Applicants: Guidance, instructions and recommendations to help applicants submit applications that avoid these common pitfalls will be added to the navigation are on the left side on the Applications windows

 Resubmissions: Detailed instructions and guidance on how to use all facilites of the resubmission function will be added to the Navigation area on the left side of the Application windows.

 These issues require changes to the functionality of the existing application process or changes to the current applications forms. These will be resolved within 1APP...