Our Planning Service, like many across the country, is dealing with a significant increase in planning application submissions. Due to this increase in planning applications we are experiencing difficultly processing planning applications within the statutory 8 or 13 week target set by government.

We are bringing forward different ways of working and resources as quickly as possible. However, planning officers’ workloads are exceptionally high and this is  affecting response times from us, which are much longer than normal. Each officer is balancing determining in-time applications, those within the statutory timescales, alongside those that have gone beyond their statutory target date. They are trying to deal with older cases first.

Note: in order to speed up the process of determination and to assist our Officers:

• Please ensure submitted applications include all necessary information for them to be assessed effectively by Officers and consultees
• Do not submit any updates / revisions to the application until you have agreed this with the Officer as this creates confusion for the public and consultees
• Please submit current photographs of the site and surroundings to help us assess your application.
• If we need further information or have queries on your application, we will contact you
• Please monitor the website for comments and consultation responses on your application using the online planning search facility (https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/view-and-track-planning-applications)
• To allow officers to concentrate on applications, please wait for the case officer to contact you before telephoning or emailing us for an update on your application

We extend our sincerest apologies for any delays and appreciate your patience during this busy period.