Press Release Date: 28th June 2005

Submit-a-Plan Commits To Be First To Link Websites With The Planning Portal

First To Link Websites

LABC is pleased to announce that making online Building Control applications on the www.Submit-a-Plan.com website will shortly become even faster and easier!!!

As well as being able to make Building Control applications directly through www.Submit-a-Plan.com applicants will be able to seamlessly progress from an Online Planning Application made on the Portal at www.Planningportal.gov.uk to a corresponding Online Building Control Application, without having to re-key common information, or resubmit electronic attachments, plans, drawings, etc. The sharing of application details will mean that only minimal information will need to be input when on the www.Submit-a-Plan.com website!!!

“As one of the Planning Portal Accredited IT partners we are delighted to be working even more closely with the Planning Portal by being the first to link websites in enabling joined-up and seamless Building Control / Portal Planning applications. The sharing of application details makes perfect sense, and further strengthens the case for making online applications. This is a win win situation for applicants as they will have an even faster and simpler way to make Building Control applications using the www.Submit-a-Plan.com website.”

Tony James, Resolution Data Management Ltd

"The ODPM's Planning Portal has worked in partnership with Local Planning Authorities over the last two years to help them achieve their IEG Priority Service Outcomes. Every non-County LPA in England and Wales is now using the Portals services for accepting Planning applications and guidance; 165 of them are accepting online applications via the Portal.  IEG returns earlier in the year showed that many LPAs were not confident of achieving PSO R8 - particularly with regard to online Building Control applications. In order to support LPAs in achieving their outcomes the Planning Portal has been developing a system that links with their chosen online Building Control system - all their supplier has to do is to put their side of the link in place.

We are pleased that the LABC endorsed Submit-a-Plan will be the first to take advantage of this link and offer this service to their clients. We believe this link from Planning applications to Building Control applications will be of significant help and benefit to applicants and their agents. "

Paul Kilner, Director, Planning Portal, ODPM

“With the forthcoming publication of the e-Building Control standards the addition of the Planning portal as another avenue to submit building regulations applications is a significant step forward in enabling customers easy access to local authority Building Control. LABC is pleased to be the first Building Control provider to offer this facility to Planning portal users, placing it at the forefront of e-service delivery in the Building Control industry.”

Steve Evans, Director, LABC

Submit-a-Plan has over 160 Authorities now using the LABC endorsed system. If your authority is not already enabled then it is not too late to meet the 2005 e-gov targets that state,

"Users will be able to seamlessly interact with all relevant services that underpin the development process, thus achieve the required outcome R8, and good outcome G7, of the Local e-Government Priority Outcomes"

[Extract from the e-Planning Programme Blueprint]

The provision of Online Building Control application remains a Required Priority Service Outcome (PSO) of Implementing Electronic Government (IEG).  Local Authorities are required to submit their interim IEG 4.5 statement by the 18th July 2005; and are mandated to have delivered all Required PSO's by December 2005, including the electronic submission of Building Control applications.