Planners aim for clearer process

A Leeds Council scrutiny board has drawn up 13 recommendations for making the planning service more transparent, easier to understand and simpler for people to keep up to date with individual applications.

The scrutiny committee made the suggestions after hearing from witnesses about their experiences – good and bad –- of the way the planning department notifies and involves residents.

Reviews are now taking place to ensure the system is more public-friendly, with less jargon and more plain English.

Restructuring is also taking place to align planning officers with council area committees, so they can better liaise with developers, councillors and public.

A review also is due to look at the way the public is notified of planning applications, with a view to reducing costs while maintaining the minimum standards required by law.

Communications will also be looked at to ensure they are written in clear English. A promise of better "pre-application engagement" has also been given.

A publicity drive will encourage people to register with a public access system that updates users by email of important developments.

The report concludes that the scrutiny board's inquiry has indentified some important service improvements.

"The recommendations provide a framework to review and consider some changes in practices and improve the way the service communicates with the public about planning applications, at both the pre-application and formal application stages."

Members of the council's executive board are due to meet tomorrow to discuss the proposals.