Residents, agents, developers and community groups are invited to give their views on proposals to make it easier to submit planning applications in Brighton & Hove.
 
The council is undertaking a review of the supporting information that applicants have to supply when submitting a planning application. The information is needed before an application can be registered as valid. Having better quality information makes it easier for everybody to understand what is proposed.
 
Brighton & Hove 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 required.
 
Councillor Lynda Hyde, chairman of Brighton & 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.”
 
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.
 
To make comments email planning.consultation@brighton-hove.gov.uk or write to the Development Control Team, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ. For general enquiries call the Planning Information line 01273 292222.
 
Consultation ends on March 4, 2011.

For more information view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/planningreview