Council invests in planning to meet rising development activity

A local authority planning team is facing up to a big jump in planning applications by rolling out more investment and service improvements.

Hart District Council planning manage Emma Whittaker told Planning: “The shear number of planning applications at all levels but especially big housing schemes has prompted us to look at driving through changes in service delivery.

“Growth in the economy is forcing the pace while land values and house prices in Hart are high. This area is rated one of the top places to live in the country. Meanwhile, we have special areas that need protection from over-development.”

Whittaker said the authority was firming up its local plan and looking at preferred options for housing. She added that the council aimed to submit the document in about a year's time.

The council expanding and looking to recruit a planning team leader and two senior planning officers.

“The new team leader will head up on a range of proposals, will support our team of planners and make sure excellence in customer service is achieved,” she said.

“Our development control team is undergoing a period of major investment and service improvement which has resulted in the two new senior planner posts.”

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Image: Hartley Wintney Village, Dart