One in four planning applications now made online
In the last three years, take-up of the electronic service has increased by more than 1,000 per cent. Wandsworth receives more electronic applications than any other London council.
Wandsworth is currently experiencing a building boom with record numbers of applications being received from homeowners, developers and architects.
In the last twelve months a total of 4,772 applications were submitted from all sources - an increase of ten per cent on the previous year.
Latest figures from the planning service estimate that around 1,140 applications will be made via the internet in the current financial year, although the number could well be higher if the present trend continues.
Wandsworth introduced online applications in May 2002. In 2004/5, in the first year when comparable figures are available for all London boroughs, Wandsworth received 96 applications online. Wandsworth has been a leader in e-planning services in England since it began providing a wide range of information online in 1995.
Businesses, planning agents and householders are able to view and submit drawings and plans without having to visit council offices. The service has brought significant savings for applicants who no longer have to print off copies of drawings and plans and do not have to pay postage costs.
Martin Howell from the council's planning service said:
"Making our planning information available through our website, 24 hours a day, has saved the public time and money. In the past you would have had to visit the town hall to view applications and could only submit or comment on applications by post. Now it's possible to do it all online."
The Department for Communities and Local Government estimates that of the 650,000 planning applications made each year in England around one in six are online.
June 13, 2007
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