THE council have said that progress is finally being made on its planning process - but that delays will still persist in issuing decisions for applications.

Dorset Council has cleared the planning validation backlog. This means that planning applications are now being validated within a few days of receipt.

The council say that its planning transformation project has brought together planning data from five former district councils onto one planning database which has helped to enable the team to clear a large validation backlog.

As previously reported in September, the council was named as one of the worst performing – not achieving the Government ten working day target - for land searches since October 2020, which it blamed on the backlog caused by high demand and staff shortages. With figures at the time averaging 52 days for most of the county and 25 working days for the east Dorset area.

The delays led to complaints from would-be purchasers and vendors as well as from local solicitors and estate agents.

Validation is the first stage in the planning application process. It checks whether all the information required to process the application has been submitted.

If the application is considered valid then the application is placed on the planning register, allocated a planning case officer and given an application reference number. This is when the planning application is publicised, and people can make comments.

Following the consultation stage, planning officers will assess each application against Local and Neighbourhood Plans and National Planning Policy, considering any material considerations raised in submitted comments, to determine whether the planning permission should be granted or not. Most applications are determined by officers under an arrangement called delegated powers, while more complex or controversial applications may be presented to a committee of elected councillors for a decision.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “Clearing the validation backlog has been a huge task and well done to all concerned. But this means that a large wave of applications must go through the planning process.

“Our planning officers now have the huge task of assessing all the applications, and there will still be some delays in issuing decisions. Please bear with us while our team works hard to assess these applications and issue decisions”.

The transformation work continues, with a final phase of migration work due to be completed in the new year. The council said it will continue to develop its system and improve its online register.