In this latest column for the Weston and North Somerset Echo, North Somerset Council’s Economic Development Team gives an update on the progress of its economic growth strategy.
To help deliver economic growth the Development Management team at North Somerset Council are putting into place new ways of working to make the planning system quicker and more efficient.
The Local Economic Development Protocol was launched in September 2011 following consultation with commercial agents and developers.The Protocol supports the timely delivery of development proposals that will have significant local economic benefits.
Examples of schemes which have already been through the Protocol process include Weston Gateway Business Park and Leisuredome.
Launch of new scheme
In addition to the Protocol, the Development Management team has recently launched a new Accredited Agent Scheme. The scheme involves agents agreeing to abide by a code of conduct.
In return, the council list the details of all accredited agents on their website, gives agents the Accredited Agent Scheme logo for use in their marketing material and provides briefing sessions to help agents to keep up to date with planning application requirements.
The aim of our Accredited Agent Scheme is to foster good working relations between the council and planning agents. The result is efficiencies for the applicants and the council by reducing delays at the registration stage and reducing the number of unsuccessful applications and appeals.
Full details of the scheme and how to become an accredited agent are available on the council’s website at http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Environment/planning/accreditedplanningagentscheme.
Marketing initiative
The Economic Development Service (part of the Development Management team) has also developed a Marketing Initiatives List. This is being used in marketing meetings with landowners, developers of employment schemes and commercial agents to guide discussions about the proactive marketing and promotion of employment sites coming forward in the area.
For further details of the Accredited Agent Scheme please contact Jason Beale (Performance and Customer Service Manager) on 01934 426702 or by emailing Jason.beale@n-somerset.co.uk.
For further details of the Local Economic Protocol or the Marketing Initiatives List please contact Jane Vivian (Senior Economic Development Officer) on 01934 426907 or jane.vivian@n-somerset.gov.uk
