New Forest District Council has successfully bid to receive £100,000 in funding from the government to improve its digital planning processes.
The funding will help the council to improve the tools that are used to digitally map data across the district, which will provide residents and businesses with the most up to date and relevant information when using key online planning services.
These planning services include searching for the location of planning applications, viewing the locations of trees with Tree Preservation Orders, finding the location of listed buildings, and identifying conservation areas.
Cllr Derek Tipp, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, says: “We’re grateful that we have been awarded this funding from the government, which will support us in achieving our aims of delivering an excellent and modernised planning service.
I look forward to seeing the positive impact that these improvements will have on our district’s development.”
The council will be using the funding to review their current planning processes and create an action plan for digital improvements.
This will include implementing better technology, new software, staff training opportunities, and identifying ways to improve user accessibility.
The council is also creating a new community consultation platform, which will feature interactive methods of engagement and aim to improve community involvement when developing their Local Plan.
Residents can find out more about New Forest District Council’s planning service at https://newforest.gov.uk/planning
