Despite some occasional glitches, the ability to look at planning applications submitted to local Councils “on line” has been one of the significant improvements introduced over the last 5 years.

Residents are able to set up alerts which tell them about any applications affecting their area.

There have been occasional problems with keeping the York Council web site up to date, but generally it has proved to be a useful facility.

Over 40% of planning applications to City of York Council are now received electronically

In times of economic austerity, it seems strange therefore that the Council continues to produce hard copy of the documentation. In the main these are for the benefit of statutory consultees like Parish Councils. Local “Planning Panels” – essentially Quangos made up of self appointed local experts – are also offered the papers in printed form.

One wonders whether these consultees are really an essential part of the process any more? Most of York doesn’t have Parish Councils and there is little evidence, that issues in non parished areas, are not given detailed consideration by officials and planning committees.

Most importantly, now that every resident is able to have their say on applications simply by accessing the web, why is an extra consultation step needed at all?

The Council has now been asked to set up a time consuming “scrutiny panel” to look into the need for paper copies of documents. When the Council moves to its new offices in Toft Green very little paper will be stored anyway with correspondence being scanned for storage purposes.

Many will believe that it is time to make the switch to paperless systems.

Residents can find the York Planning “portal” at this web address: http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/