Twice recently I’ve heard comments from consumers of planning
application data stating that data is either too hard to find or that
the data is simply not on the public register of planning
applications. Well, it’s not really surprising, registers are often
based on legacy documents such as PARSOL and Pendleton Criteria dating
back to early egov programmes centred on getting the register online
in the mid 1990’s. Since then the market has stopped pretty still with
Local Planning Authorities providing their registers through the
internet. Yes, tracking of applications has been introduced by some
authorities, but we want to know what really matters to you. The white
paper focuses on decisions being made on data and not documents. We
want to make sure that that data is accessible to you. Most people
looking for an application will be on edge as it impacts them, let's
not wind them up by making it harder to find the facts that matter.
What from an LPA point of view is going to reduce
contact from citizens? What benefit does having application tracking
actually make? Do you administer these accounts and clear them out
occasional or at they in there forever, we’d love to know the
click-through rates on how many people actually care and how many it
gets ignored with the other emails that they get?
From a citizen perspective, what do you want to see
against an application? What is important to you to be able to see in
order to make your comments where appropriate? Do you ever search for
applications or are you only interested in the one that you are
looking for? Do you use application tracking and why?
Professional use, so you may be a solicitor, agent,
consultant dealing with the application. What is important to you?
What do you want to look at and what data do you need to have access
to? Are you happy to trawl through the application form or do you want
to be able to see the raw data and download it and then reuse it?
Everyone...when you search what do you search
for? Are weekly lists still relevant? do you ever search on a map or
just using an address or status?
If you are interested in offering feedback then please drop me a line
at robin.barber@arcusglobal.com
