You can now sign up for planning alerts, see applications on maps, quickly access information on specific applications via a QR code and view major projects on Commonplace a new user friendly platform
To transform the way the local community gets involved with planning applications, Watford Borough Council is delivering a programme of digital improvements to make the process more engaging and accessible for residents.
For several decades, residents have had rely on being notified of planning applications by either receiving a letter from the council, seeing a planning notice attached to lamp post or an advert in the local paper. However, thanks to funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) secured by the council via the PropTech Engagement Fund, residents will be able to:
- Sign up for planning alerts – people can be kept informed of planning matters for a specific area of their choice. This reduces the traditional reliance of waiting to receive a letter, or stumbling across a site notice/newspaper advert.
- See applications on maps - members of the public can now view planning applications on a map instead of having to search for an application by address/reference number. A map will also make it easy for members of the public to check any planning constraints on a property e.g. if it is within a Conservation Area or has any surrounding protected trees.
- Quickly access information on specific applications via a QR code – often residents will visit Watford’s public access system to look for a specific planning application and will use a search box to find it, which can be time-consuming. The QR codes on all future planning correspondence ensures that residents can quickly access the application they want.
- View major projects on Commonplace a new user friendly platform (PILOT - will be available until April 2022) – with user-friendly, map-based technology, Watford residents will now be able to see and comment on the purpose and design of major planning applications that have been submitted to Watford Borough Council via www.watford.gov.uk/commonplace. Once the pilot is finished, feedback will be provided back to Central Government to support the aim of Local Authorities being able to adopt similar digital tools in the future.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said “The Planning for the Future White Paper sets out a vision to increase the use of digital engagement within the planning process, and to make the planning system more accountable and democratic by offering alternative routes to engage, alongside traditional forms of engagement. These council-led projects will enable us to better understand the barriers to overcome.”
To find out more about both the PropTech Engagement Fund and explore our new digital planning tools, please visit www.watford.gov.uk/planning-building-control
