10 August 2006

The City of Edinburgh Council's planning website gives the best access to planning information in Scotland, a Scottish Executive poll found.

Officials have praised the service for the role it plays in providing residents with the ability to take an active part in the planning process.

Using the website, members of the public are able to view full details of planning applications and, if necessary, make objections online.

The website was launched three years ago, in a bid to make the 5,500 planning applications with which the council more accessible to the public, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.

Trevor Davies, city planning leader, commented that the survey confirms the quality and compatibility of the site with the Scottish Executive's aim for more public participation in the planning process.

"We genuinely want people to take part in the planning process in a meaningful way. Giving them the choice of online access is a huge part of this," he said.

Mr Davies added that more than 23,000 people now visit the website each month.

Users of the service are also able to submit planning applications online and request other services, such as property enquiry certificates.

© Adfero Ltd

Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.