RESIDENTS calling for the council’s ‘unfit for purpose’ online planning system to be improved will face a lengthy wait.

Cllr Sharon Harris (LD – Appleton) has been contacted by members of the public over the issue.

And she pressed Cllr Judith Guthrie (LAB – Westbrook), cabinet member for environment and public protection, about it during Monday’s full council meeting.

She asked: “Recent large planning applications have made it very apparent that the current planning portal on the borough council website is not fit for purpose.

“What steps are being taken to remedy this and what is the expected timeframe?”

Cllr Guthrie told her the issues associated to planning applications online, as well as the ‘implications’ for the public, are recognised.

She says there is ‘known to be a problem’ and highlighted it can be particularly difficult to identify amended proposals.

Cllr Guthrie also confirmed officers have ‘identified solutions’ that are to be explored.

“Unfortunately, this is a systems-based issue which cannot be addressed using the current software,” she said.

“New systems are expected to be rolled out within the first quarter of 2020, although it is recognised that thereafter it will be necessary to test the systems and ensure that any transitional issues are addressed.”