North Norfolk identified as ‘platinum’ rated planning service by industry experts

Date published: 6th August 2024

North Norfolk District Council’s planning service has been identified as one of only 12 authorities rated as ‘platinum’ for their service delivery.

Planning Resource, an online publication and information resource for planners, rated North Norfolk with the highest award, based on their criteria for the speed and quality of decision-making around planning matters.

In September 2022, North Norfolk committed to an improvement in the performance of the planning service and subsequently developed a planning service improvement plan that focused on placing customers at the heart of decision making.

Martyn Fulcher, Director for Place and Climate Change said:

“The Council set the planning service challenges in September 2022, including around the speed of decision making.  In response, a Planning Service Improvement Strategy and Action Plan was derived that focused on our people, processes and performance – with a view to making improvements to every aspect of our planning service. 

This work is ongoing, and it is fantastic to see the efforts of the team be recognised by our inclusion as a top performing local authority by experts.  I am very proud of this fact, and of every member of the team, who do their best all times. 

We are not resting on our laurels however and aim to improve further and offer the very best service possible to residents, businesses and visitors to our lovely district.”

The Action Plan was developed to focus on three key areas - people, process and performance.

These improvement areas allow the service to continually improve working relationships and the ‘customer journey’ throughout the planning system, while reviewing and improving how the processes work, implementing ways to work more efficiently.