Leap in planning applications prompts council expansion

A council is having to undertake an expansion of its planning department to help tackle a huge increase in planning applications.

Head of planning and building control at St Albans City and District Council ,Tracy Harvey, told Planning: “We average 3,500 applications a year, an increase of more than 50 per cent since 2010. 

“Applications relate to housing sites, a solar farm, office space, sheltered home schemes, retail units and works within a community forest and a power plant. 

“The team is also involved in a legal challenge to a proposed rail-freight depot and progressing the district’s draft strategic local plan.” 

At a meeting last week the council cabinet heard St Albans had nine vacancies in planning. Posts include development management planning officer and team leader.

Other new jobs include lead development planner, planning and building investigations team leader and planning investigation officer.

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