London,
31
January
2012
|
23:00
Europe/London

Hackney Council Planning makes have your say easy

Improvements to Hackney Council s online planning service makes it easier than ever for those wanting to find out about or comment on proposed development in their area.

The Council s online interactive mapping service Find My Nearest can be used to search, view, comment and track progress on planning applications in a given postcode area. The new service also gives access to further planning related information such as Conservation Areas, Tree Preservation Orders and plans for the future of the area in accordance with the Council s Local Development Framework (LDF).

With more people working to enhance their homes rather than moving, the Council s Planning Service aims to make it easier for home-owners seeking advice on extending their property through a free pre-application service. The new Householder Planning Applications web pages outline the stages of a householder application as well as explaining the planning and building process. These will help those considering improvements to their homes and illustrate whether or not their work is required to go through the planning process at all. Plenty more advice can be found on the Council s planning web pages, including information sheets about development specifically in the 29 recognised Conservation Areas in the Borough.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: "Planning plays an important role in shaping the development of our neighbourhoods and as such it is important that a Planning service aspires to being accessible to the residents it serves. This expanded online service opens up new channels through which we, as residents, can find out as well as comment on, the planning applications that have been made in our local neighbourhood or to report a development that may not have had Planning permission.”

Hackney Council s Planning Service undertakes regular consultations to gather feedback from planning applicants who have used the service as well as those who have made comment on a planning proposal. These results play a vital role in improving the Borough s service. The surveys are available for completion online or by calling 020 8356 8141 and the deadline for submission of the current survey is 27 February 2012. All completed forms will be entered into a draw to win one of five £20 vouchers.

To find out more about Hackney s Council s Planning Service visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/planning.htm or to use the Find my Nearest service visit: www.map.hackney.gov.uk/Find-My-Nearest