Anglian Home Improvements, one of the UK's leading home improvement companies, was this week presented with the 'Planning Portal User of the Year Award' by the ODPM's Planning Portal, a one stop shop for all aspects of the planning system in England and Wales.
The award, presented by Paul Kilner, director of the Planning Portal, is to recognise the fact that Anglian Home Improvements has committed to submitting 100 per cent of its planning applications via the Planning Portal. In addition, it has also submitted the most planning applications through the Portal in the UK. The figure, as of today, stands at well over 1000 applications in just 3 months.
Kilner, speaking at the presentation, said: "This is the first time we have presented the award and we hope that over the coming years, we will be in the position to present many more. We chose Anglian Home Improvements, not only because the company submitted the most applications to the Planning Portal, but because it has successfully changed its business and work culture around the way planning applications are submitted."
Colin Bennett, commercial operations director of Anglian Home Improvements, commented: "A blueprint has been issued from the ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minster) for the e-enabling of the planning process. This award from the Planning Portal demonstrates our enthusiasm to embrace this blueprint. Utilising the expertise of the Planning Portal has huge benefits for both our staff and customers in time saving and improved levels of service."
The aim of e-planning is to improve access to information on the planning system, bring the traditionally paper-based planning system online, and streamline the process thereby cutting time and costs for applicants and local planning authorities.
About the Planning Portal:
The Planning Portal (www.planningportal.gov.uk) offers a comprehensive range of information on the planning system in England and Wales. It is aimed at everyone, from central government and local authorities to planning professionals and the lay person. The website offers the latest planning news, and jobs in the industry. You can also determine whether you need to apply for planning permission and how to obtain it. The site hosts access development plans, maps, regulations and guidance notes upon which most application and appeal procedures are based.
