Planning process to be more "transparent" and "efficient"

Saturday 28 November 2020

Operational changes could be underway in the Planning Department, in an effort to improve transparency and reduce waiting times for decision notices.

In the Development & Planning Authority's first update to the new States Assembly, Deputy Victoria Oliver outlined some of the ways in which she hoped to make the planning process easier for islanders, as well as to increase the opportunities for islanders to make representations to the quasi-judicial body.

She said that the move to advertise planning applications online was a "positive outcome" of the changes they were compelled to make during the pandemic, and she would like to see the provision expanded.

“This is an interim measure pending full digitisation of the planning and building control applications process,” she said. “We hope this will come to fruition in the first half of next year.”

Efforts are also being made to involve the public in earlier stages of planning. Work on the Development Framework for the three regeneration areas in St Peter Port recently commenced with a round of public consultation. 

Pictured: DPA President Victoria Oliver said there are clear improvements that can be made to the planning process.

This has involved not only face-to-face consultation but the creation of an online platform which will be used to engage to public prior to the drafting of the Framework.

Deputy Oliver said they will be continuing to make the application process itself more efficient, following the changes made to address the backlog that has developed as a result of the pandemic.

A fast-track system was introduced earlier this year to reduce timescales for minor applications, and free up resources for more significant projects, but Deputy Oliver does not intend to stop there.

“We are also looking to significantly broaden planning exemptions to reduce the amount of development which requires planning permission,” she said, adding that she intended to bring a policy letter early in the New Year. 

“Extending the exemptions will help to encourage development and boost the economy by getting things moving, although it will also reduce my committee’s income.”