DIGITAL systems which will allow residents to track pending planning applications will be rolled out this week.

Wigan Council’s planning department is introducing new systems for submitting and tracking more than 1,200 applications per year.

This will allow residents and consultees to check on applications and will notify councillors of pending applications in their wards.

The software will be a "one-stop-shop" for all applications allowing residents and developers to submit and view feedback from people and public bodies in one place.

It will also allow users to view applications through search terms, address or map.

Cllr Carl Sweeney, cabinet member for environment at the council, whose brief includes the planning service, said: “We are committed to providing every application with the attention it deserves, so we are continuously adapting and developing new, efficient methods of working in order to deliver a timely service.

“The planning process can sometimes be quite long, but we are dedicated to providing a professional, robust service to make the experience as easy and as simple to navigate as possible. Introducing this new software is one way of doing that.

“So many people will benefit from these changes including residents who can view updates in real-time, members who will be alerted to planning applications from the onset and applicants, who will benefit from quicker processing time.”

For a number of years, the local authority has signposted applicants to an external website to submit their planning applications but this company has recently introduced a nationwide charge.

The council says if it did not act, residents and developers would be charged to submit their application online in addition to the standard local authority fee.

The new system is free to use and with the aim of allowing officers’ time to be used more efficiently.

Cllr Sweeney added: “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 often addresses complex issues and can generate a wide range of opinions.

The services aims to combat these issues in a timely manner while remaining professionally objective as well as being open and transparent with the public and customers.

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 about the council’s planning service visit wigan.gov.uk/planning.