SMARTER working and improved digital systems could help process 1,800 applications to a council's planning department every year, according to a report.

Wigan Council's planning department will present a report to its scrutiny committee about how it will use digital technology and improved working practices to improve the service.

Since making changes last year the service has introduced more electronic systems to reduce manual inputting which will not speed up the administration process but will allow residents and consultees to check on their applications in real time.

The local authority is looking into the possibility of artificial intelligence and other technology systems to help process their multitude of applications in a bid to avoid delays.

Cllr Carl Sweeney, cabinet member for environment at the council, whose brief includes the planning service, said: “The local planning service has been under immense pressure over recent years, having to meet statutory timescales while remaining open and transparent to members of the public.

“Following a reduction in the size of the service due to budget cuts and austerity, the department has had to adapt and develop new, efficient methods of working in order to deliver a timely service.

“We are committed to providing every application with the attention it deserves, however, we will continue to look into options that may free up officers’ time to ensure they can utilise their skills in the most productive way.

“A restructure to the service means we have taken another look at how work can be improved and delivered more effectively.”

After setting up a support team to validate applications and deal with requests from the public and councillors, the local authority will introduce an online public access system in February allowing residents to upload applications online.

Cllr Sweeney added: “This is the first step in implementing our new way of working and this approach will continue to be updated.

“We realised that the planning department and other services within the council often provide extensive advice to prospective applicants and sometimes, this does not lead to an application at all.

“As a result, we are looking at a more structured pre-application service that may introduce a charge system, which is in line with approaches taken by other local authorities within Greater Manchester and the country.

"If approved by full council, the team will have the ability to give feedback on issues of significant concern from the outset and will make the planning process much smoother.”

The council will now move to a second phase of work to ensure the planning service can be effectively developed.

This will include a workshop with staff and users of the service to develop work already in place and to discuss how to move forward using more technology, such as artificial intelligence.

Cllr Sweeney said: “Receiving more than 1,200 planning applications and 600 building control applications every year, we are keen to ensure the quality skills of our planning service are effectively maintained and utilised.

“Digital services are cost effective and help us keep council tax low so we will always explore new technologies and digital infrastructure to ensure we’re providing value for money.”

The planning process is governed by legislation and statutory procedure and can generate a large amount of conflict and often addresses complex issues.

The service needs to deal with these issues in a timely manner, meeting statutory timescales and remain professionally objective while ensuring openness and transparency with the public and customers.

For more information on the council’s planning service visit wigan.gov.uk/planning.