Recent developments in new technology have provided considerable challenges and opportunities to improve the management of planning processes and make better use of resources. Whilst new technology has already been applied in the delivery of services and in the Agency’s ability to provide information, there are many areas of work where there is potential for further exploitation of the opportunities provided by technology. Information technology, and in particular the Internet, will contribute to the improvement of performance and facilitate enhanced transparency and accountability.

e-Planning offers considerable opportunity for early and rapid change to the future delivery of planning services, with an emphasis on electronic delivery. This enables the provision of services to suit customer needs in a format, and at a time, most convenient to the individual.

The Planning Service has been successful in bidding for Executive Programme Funds resources and has recently been allocated £4m from the ‘Innovation and Modernisation Fund’ over the next 18 months. This will finance the implementation of an online Development Control service.

The provision of an online service will assist in the re-engineering of the planning process, and allow:

• electronic submission of, and payment for, applications;

• electronic consultation with the Agency’s statutory consultees and local Councils; and

• public access to an online Statutory Planning Register.

In line with Open Government and Freedom of Information, the creation of electronic documentation will also provide the public with the ability to search for applications, comment electronically on proposed developments, and track applications through the planning process via the Internet.

This will enhance co-ordination, transparency and efficiency, while providing convenient access to planning information for individuals and the community, reducing the need for the public to contact the local planning office. This will ultimately result in a more informed public, whilst releasing staff resources to concentrate on the processing of applications.

In terms of improving consultation arrangements with local Councils and internal consultees, the implementation of e-Planning systems will streamline consultation processes, and workflows within the Agency will be improved.

The Planning Service will continue to apply new technology to achieve greater integration of the management of financial systems, processes, and manpower requirements.

The Planning Service will:

• by December 2006, design and implement an appropriate electronic interface to aid applicants in the completion of the planning application forms and assist in reducing the number of invalid planning applications received;

• make available, at the earliest opportunity, on the Planning Service website:

− the Statutory Planning Register;

− weekly lists of applications received and decisions issued;

− weekly advertising lists;

− Council schedules;

• review the e-consultation pilot with the Roads Service during early 2003;

• complete the detailed review of Development Control processes by April 2004;

• prepare an e-Business Strategy detailing the shape of a new service delivery model that fully exploits e-Business technologies during 2003/04;

• complete implementation of e-Planning systems by December 2006; and

• continue to internally explore opportunities to share information with other Agencies and Departments.