18 February 2009
13 February 2009
The Planning and Environment Department has taken on a new senior planner to help deal with ‘fast track’ planning applications.
Andrew Raeburn has extensive experience in dealing with major planning applications across several London Boroughs and started work at South Hill on Monday 9th February. He is employed for a 6 month temporary contract as part of the Planning Minister’s response to difficult trading conditions in the construction industry.
Minister for Planning and Environment, Senator Freddie Cohen said,
“I am delighted to be able to supplement the existing planning team with a new senior planner, dedicated to speeding up decision times on planning applications. The public response to my earlier announcement of a new system of fast tracking economically important applications has been very encouraging and this new resource will help us deliver. Initially we are focussing on those schemes which will deliver the most economic benefit to the Island – those with a contract value above of £250,000, where local people are being employed and where the applicant is ready to start work on site.”
Senator Cohen also confirmed that the cost of the new planner had been met by making savings elsewhere within the Department’s budget.