New protection from identity fraud

In response to continuing concern from customers about the risk of identity fraud when representations on planning applications are published online, the Planning Service has introduced further protection for customers.  Whether we receive representations as online comments in Planning Applications Online, by e-mail or letter, we aim to blank out personal details that do not need to be made public on the Council web site.

 

We do have to publish online the name and address of who has made the representation, as we need to be transparent and open about who is involved in the application process.  (There are some exceptions, which are described in Frequently Asked Questions found in Planning Applications Online.)

 

We aim to blank out:

 

 

 

 

If we miss any of these items and it is drawn to our attention, we will correct this straight away.

 

Our suppliers are developing new software that will enable us to do this even more efficiently in the future.  The government are planning to introduce new application forms later in 2007, which will enable the same protection to be offered to applicants.  In the meantime, applicants can use an agent to avoid the need to give us any personal contact details.

 

These measures should give anyone involved in the application process confidence that their personal identity is not at risk.  If you have any comments on this matter, please either email Development Control or telephone 0114 2734215.