West Lindsey District Council is implementing a new system to help improve the way its processes planning applications.
The new system will be intuitive and has many automated functions that will help the council deliver the service in a legal way, whilst also making sure that the service is future proofed.
The council has partnered with StatMap, a leading provider of innovative solutions, to implement the new Development Management System. The new system will introduce innovative features, significantly enhancing the efficiency of the team and the customer experience through its public planning portal.
Russell Clarkson Development Manager Team Manager said:
“This partnership with StatMap marks a major milestone in our efforts to modernise and streamline our services. By embracing cutting-edge technology, we are ensuring that West Lindsey remains a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and invest.
“Our new Development Management System will not only improve efficiency but will ultimately provide a much better experience for our residents and developers. I would like to thank everyone for their support and patience during the roll out of this new system.”
The new system has replaced one introduced at the council 17 years ago, which had limited capabilities with antiquated IT systems and manual, resource-intensive ways of working. This software was developed on a platform not designed for planning applications, and although the team has made it work, changes in technology means now is the right time to invest in the service.
So what will be the benefits of the new system?
The new system will increase automation of transactional processes, creating efficiencies and freeing-up capacity within the service.
It will also help manage the expectations of customers and provide automated updates on the progress of their applications.
On top of that because of the intuitive digital nature of the system it will enable a more agile workforce and more effective management of service demand.
The council has a vision to create a resilient and diverse rural district that embraces sustainable growth while retaining its quality, heritage, and character for the benefit of all. To achieve this, it has ambitious plans to deliver over 7,000 new homes by 2036, invest £18 million in a growth programme for Gainsborough, and develop a 30-hectare employment site at Hemswell.
The new system will enable the council to concentrate on making West Lindsey not only a great place to live but also a location that developers want to invest in.
It will enhance the service the Development Management team can provide especially given recent planning reforms, which include plans to give residents more involvement in local development and the need for digital planning systems.
For more information about planning and building control please visit our website: Planning and Building Control