Planning applications made simpler as numbers rise

Submitting a planning application could become easier under new proposals to cut the time needed to validate the rising number submitted in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council is undertaking a review of the supporting information that applicants have to supply when submitting an application.

It has been developing checklists which set out what information is required for different types of development and application. These also explain why the information is needed.

Councillor Lynda Hyde, chairman of Brighton and Hove’s planning committee, explained: “Even though the number of planning applications has continued to rise this financial year, planning officers have succeeded in reducing the time taken to validate them.

“By setting up a checklist approach, householders, agents and developers can go straight to the sections that apply to them.

“The planning team has also introduced support for people applying for planning permission to assist them in completing forms. Now we want to improve the service further.”

Full details can be found at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/planningreview.

Proposals include extending the checklist approach in areas such as air quality, noise impact, sustainability and transport and streamlining the system to make sure applicants only have to supply information once. Current checklists are also being reviewed and the public is being invited to comment on what the council could do better.

You can make your comments by emailing planning.consultation@brighton-hove.gov.uk or writing to the Development Control Team, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ. For general enquiries call the Planning Information line 01273 292222.