The Covid pandemic has had a number of unexpected consequences and one of these is that the construction and DIY industry is booming. Dorset Council’s planning services have seen a large rise in the number of applications they have received.
The council has received 9,022 planning applications between January 2019 and December 2020. This is an average of 376 applications per month. This year from January to end of April they have received 1,971 applications. This is an extra 383 application compared to the same period in 2020.
Decisions are continuing to be made. In March this year 482 applications were decided upon, which is higher than any month in the last 2 years.
To manage this increase in business and to create efficiencies in the process the council are doing a number of things:
The Planning Convergence and Transformation Project
The Planning Convergence and Transformation Project aims to deliver a more effective, efficient, and customer-focussed planning service. The project is halfway through the introduction of a new single planning software system for Dorset Council, which is a key part of the wider planning transformation project. All areas are now using the same type of platform which has already seen efficiencies in processes. The next area’s planning information to be transferred is the former Purbeck District Council’s. This is planned for the end of the month. The Former East Dorset District Council information will follow in July.
Recruitment
Dorset Council is currently recruiting to a range of roles across the services in areas such as validation, enforcement, conservation and development management to fill vacancies and help with the increased workload.
Validation backlog
There is currently an eight-week back log to validate new applications. To help reduce the workload on officers they are trying to reduce the number of emails they are receiving so that they can concentrate on validating applications. The preferred option for digital responses to planning applications is via the online register. Consultees such as town and parish councils will receive a direct link to the online register for each planning application, as part of the consultee notification email.
There are also changes to the way the teams are carrying out the work to become quicker at processing applications:
Neighbour notification letters
From 1 July the council will no longer be sending neighbour notification letters for planning applications unless these are specifically required by legislation. This is in line with their agreed Statement of Community Involvement. Details of all applications will still be published online, and they will continue to consult statutory organisations and town and parish councils.
Planning site notices
To make sure that site notices are displayed in good time agents and applicants are being asked to help by putting them up. When your planning application is registered, a copy of the notice will be sent to you. You are asked to print this and erect it as soon as possible. A photograph of the site notice in situ and confirmation of the date it was erected will be required for the records.
Planning site visits
The approach has changed for site visits for planning applications. If an officer needs to visit a site to assess the planning issues, then they will do so. However, if the assessment can be made using a desk-based approach, then this is preferred as it is a speedier process.
Amended plans and pre-application advice.
The processes are being streamlined so that only one set of amended plans will generally be allowed, particularly for minor and householder applications. In time these changes will lead to more efficiency.
All applicants are encouraged to use the pre-application advice service, so that when an application comes in, it is more likely to be supported.
There is good news for the council’s Building Control team.
The Building control team are seeing no delays in their service and dealing with all fee quotes, plan checks and site inspections. They have recruited more staff to manage their increase in caseload. The team are continuing with all required site inspections and visits following Government guidance on social distancing to keep the construction sector moving. They are currently carrying out an average of 50 site inspections per day across Dorset.
With many people working from home and wanting more space conversion of garages or outhouses have become popular. Check if building regulations apply
Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council Portfolio holder for planning, said:
“We are seeing a huge increase in workload and we are still working within Covid restrictions. Most of our planning teams continue to work from home which has its own challenges. Everyone has been working incredibly hard in very trying circumstances, but we are using every opportunity to make our processes better.”
Eight weeks for validation seems a little optimistic, my application is currently 11 weeks and counting! The whole process is supposed to be completed in this time.
Will the lack of access to planning applications allow developers to apply and gain permission without citizens being able to challenge the application. Certainly Dorset Council are ignoring Parish Council plans.
Jane – when the system is down- which is about 3 or 4 days at a time no permissions will be granted. Our planning officers will continue to work out of the system, but will update when it’s back up. We always take into account local neighbourhood plans together with adopted local plans and national planning policy. There is always a presumption to grant permission unless we can provide evidence to the contrary. It depends upon whether we can prove that there is a five years supply of housing land – more details at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/adopted-local-plans.aspx
We were asked to agree to a decision deadline extension which expired over two weeks ago. Since then, nothing, no explanation, no request for a further extension?
Week 19 or 20 now and still waiting. It’s got to the point where the council is too ignorant to even respond.
Let’s see how long the council will continue to use Covid as a scapegoat. My guess is probably for at least the next five years.
HI Charlie – The issue is Covid, it’s increased our workload, and it’s not just us it’s a national issue. I get your frustration, but we’re working through all applications in date order. We will get to you. Fiona
As the Council is no longer issuing notifications to neighbouring properties, where in the Press are the north dorset applications published? We used to use the Blackmore Vale magazine, but the New Blackmore Vale doesn’t publish them. The Blackmore Vale online magazine refers to them, but the link doesn’t work. It’s all very well being able to search for the application on the planning portal, but you have to know it’s there in the first place and know it’s reference no/precise address.
Is there still a facility on the DC web site to set up an alert for planning applications submitted by area?
Hi – This is something we are working on for the next phase of the planning Convergence and transformation project. Now we have all planning information in one place (Dorset Council was formed from six former borough county and district councils each with their own system) we are looking at the functionality of the planning website. We’ll have more news on this soon. Fiona