The pandemic has resulted in Dorset Council seeing a huge increase in the amount of planning applications it receives and the authority is finding ways of dealing with them including recruiting more staff.

The council received 9,022 planning applications between January 2019 and December 2020. This is an average of 376 applications per month. This year, from January to the end of April they received 1,971 applications. This is an extra 383 application compared to the same period in 2020.

Decisions are continuing to be made. In March this year 482 applications were decided upon, which is higher than any month in the last two years.

To manage this increase in business and to create efficiencies in the process the council are doing a number of things.

The Planning Convergence and Transformation Project aims to deliver a more effective, efficient, and customer-focussed planning service. The project is halfway through the introduction of a new single planning software system for Dorset Council, which is a key part of the wider planning transformation project. All areas are now using the same type of platform which has already seen efficiencies in processes. The next area’s planning information to be transferred is the former Purbeck District Council’s. This is planned for the end June. The Former East Dorset District Council information will follow in July.

Dorset Council is currently recruiting to a range of roles across the services in areas such as validation, enforcement, conservation and development management to fill vacancies and help with the increased workload.

There is currently an eight-week back log to validate new applications. To help reduce the workload on officers they are trying to reduce the number of emails they are receiving so that they can concentrate on validating applications. The preferred option for digital responses to planning applications is via the online register. Consultees such as town and parish councils will receive a direct link to the online register for each planning application, as part of the consultee notification email.

There are also changes to the way the teams are carrying out the work to become quicker at processing applications.

From 1 July the council will no longer be sending neighbour notification letters for planning applications unless these are specifically required by legislation. This is in line with their agreed Statement of Community Involvement. Details of all applications will still be published online, and they will continue to consult statutory organisations and town and parish councils.

To make sure that site notices are displayed in good time agents and applicants are being asked to help by putting them up. When your planning application is registered, a copy of the notice will be sent to you. You are asked to print this and erect it as soon as possible. A photograph of the site notice in situ and confirmation of the date it was erected will be required for the records.

The approach has changed for site visits for planning applications. If an officer needs to visit a site to assess the planning issues, then they will do so. However, if the assessment can be made using a desk-based approach, then this is preferred as it is a speedier process.

The processes are being streamlined so that only one set of amended plans will generally be allowed, particularly for minor and householder applications. In time these changes will lead to more efficiency.

All applicants are encouraged to use the pre-application advice service, so that when an application comes in, it is more likely to be supported.

The Building control team are seeing no delays in their service and dealing with all fee quotes, plan checks and site inspections. They have recruited more staff to manage their increase in caseload. The team are continuing with all required site inspections and visits following Government guidance on social distancing to keep the construction sector moving. They are currently carrying out an average of 50 site inspections per day across Dorset.

With many people working from home and wanting more space conversion of garages or outhouses have become popular. Check if building regulations apply at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/building-control/advice-and-guidance/general-guidance/general-building-control-guidance.aspx

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said: “We are seeing a huge increase in workload and we are still working within Covid restrictions. Most of our planning teams continue to work from home which has its own challenges. Everyone has been working incredibly hard in very trying circumstances, but we are using every opportunity to make our processes better.”