Customer Feedback – Neighbouring Residents
When a planning application is received we routinely consult the neighbours that could be affected by the proposal. During July – September 2006 we sent surveys to 450 of these Neighbours to find out what they thought of the service they received from the Planning Department
Summary of findings
- 56% used the internet to look at the plans.
- Of these 65% found the internet easy to use
- But only about half of these used the internet to make their comments
- 30% of those people who used the internet to view plans did not find the quality of the plans to be adequate
- Almost everyone who visited the offices to view plans was satisfied with the arrangements
- The majority of respondents were happy with the notifications and information that they received from the Planning Dept.
- 88% of the respondents were happy with the outcome of the Planning applications and of these 81% felt they were treated fairly and that their views were taken into consideration
- Of the 9% who were unhappy with the eventual outcome only 14% thought that they had been treated fairly. People were more likely to reply to our survey where an application had been refused
- 89% rated the service as excellent or good.
What happens next?
- The most common criticism concerned aspects of the website. We are currently updating this and by January 2007 it should be easier to view the plans on the website and to make comments in response.
- In addition you can now view planning application details back to 1974 via the Online Mapping system
- Several people also commented that we should notify/consult people in a wider area about planning applications. Unfortunately it is not possible to extend the personal notifications but we encourage people to use the website where they can search a whole area to see all applications.
- Wealden District Council in partnership with East Sussex County Council and the Town and Parish Council now have 19 help points across the District where people who may not have internet access at home will be able to get help on all Council services
- We will continue to take all views into consideration and to try to reassure neighbours of this, even when the outcome of the application is not what they hoped for.
