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Green Party calls for ‘ePlanning’ system

Local Green Party Rep Caroline Burrell has called on Bray Town Council and Wicklow County Council to consider ‘ePlanning’, a system which allows people to apply for planning permission, make a submission or object to a planning proposal online. The system is currenty operating on a pilot basis in Dublin City Council and Mayo County Council.

Burrell said: “On-line planning makes complete sense. It will lower costs and increase efficiencies for the planning authorities and make the planning system more accessible and easier to use for all. "

“In our current paper system we have huge inefficiencies which make no sense. For example most planning applications and designs are drawn up on computer. They then have to be printed out and six copies made, at considerable expense, to be submitted to the planning authority. The planners then have to scan on to computer the printed applications. It’s a similar situation for any third party submissions. A fully on-line system for smaller applications can eliminate the significant costs of this cumbersome procedure.”

Caroline Burrell said the system is particularly suited to smaller applications. “Planning authorities will be invited to use ePlanning in Autumn and I would urge both Councils to seriously consider how they can introduce this modern, cost-effective planning system to save money and ensure efficiency.”