Pic: LDRS
A call for a new improved online planning database system for Pembrokeshire’s national park which could cost up to £150,000 over the next four years has been approved.
At a September 23 meeting, a report said the authority’s planning database had been in place since 2018 and “has broadly served the authority well during this time”.
But the report identified delays in resolving issues, data corruption, mapping limits and log-on problems.
“As a result, over the last year we have been investigating new solutions and making enquiries of other national parks and local planning authorities in a similar position.
“We have found that a number of other national parks in England have either migrated or are contracting with a new planning database provider.”
Transfer and annual running costs for four years would be about £120,000 to £127,000 for a similar system with improved reporting.
Options still being considered include a dedicated Local Land Registry module, online pre-application submissions and an online tool for the public to measure plans.
Depending on the final solution, annual costs would range from about £18,600 to £25,000, compared with the current £25,000, or up to £33,000 with all add-ons.
But the report said any extra cost “should be outweighed by improved efficiencies not only within the planning team but also for the IT team,” adding: “A new system should release members of the planning from heavy manual procedures to providing improved statistical monitoring of performance for individual officers and a better public facing provision with options for members of the public to measure plans online themselves more easily and submit online pre-application submissions directly.”
Initial set-up costs would range from £21,000 to £53,000, depending on the solution chosen.
The report concluded: “The authority’s preferred provider and full transfer costs plus the additional added value elements are likely to result in full costs over four years of approximately £150,000 if all additional add-ons were included – a final decision has yet to be taken on this.”
Cllr Di Clements proposed buying a new planning database, and members unanimously backed the recommendation.
