Financial transaction service
For existing and future clients, the now privatised Planning portal is introducing a new service. The promotional text states:
"As well as smoother, speedier validation for your applications, our new service will provide:
- A consistent set of payment options across all authorities – including online, telephone, bank transfer and cheque
- The option to nominate a third-party to pay securely for the application
- The ability to pay for your application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – either online or via our call centre
- A receipt for the payment emailed to you as standard."
In short, for an improved service, there is will be a £16.67+VAT charge for all applications via the online payments platform from September (2018). The size of the application is not relevant.
The existing Time will tell whether this will be good value for money but we think it is probably worth for ease of service. Paying via a Local Authority website can cause problems and delay so it is a positive move.
Please contact WEA Planning for more information.