City council makes changes to improve planning process (From Wharfedale Observer)

City council makes changes to improve planning process

2:22pm Sunday 7th October 2007 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

Leeds City council has announced plans it describes as 'sweeping' to radically improve its planning processes.

Each year the council receives around 8,000 planning applications, most or which are dealt with by officers. But the larger or more sensitive developments come before the city's plans panels - and the focus of the changes is on making the plans more efficient, effective, understandable and accountable to the public.

Proposed improvements include making officer reports and presentations less technical and more understandable, improving the public speaking process, and reducing the amount of time people have to wait to have their application dealt with.

Councillor Andrew Carter, Executive member for Development, said: "This administration is committed to making the right decisions to take Leeds into the 21st Century. Our city is growing every day and important planning decisions are being taken that will impact on our economy, the city's reputation and the lives of our residents. We want developers, residents and businesses to have faith in our planning system and that they will be treated fairly and properly throughout the process.

"That is why the administration asked for this review and this is why we are taking its recommendations very seriously indeed. We have already taken action to reform the city's Plans Panels and we will go further to ensure that officers and members alike know what is expected of them and are able to fulfil their responsibilities."