Planning delays as IT is updated (From This Is Wiltshire)

Planning applications could be delayed in the coming months, while Wiltshire Council switches to a new computer system.

It will replace the five IT systems inherited from the former district and county councils.

Resources are expected to be diverted in the development department while the authority checks it is working properly and trains staff.

The system is due to go live at the start of December.

A briefing note sent to councillors states: “There will undoubtedly be some impact as, at any one time, up to 10 staff could be pulled out of each hub to help roll out the new system. “This means that applications may take longer to register/determine, responses to enquiries may be delayed and some officers will not be as readily available as they are at the moment. “The legacy systems will also each have to be turned off as we switch over from old to new and there will, therefore, be periods of several days when it is difficult for officers to extract any electronic planning information for parts of the county.”

A council spokesman said: “Our development service, which includes development and building control, planning enforcement, conservation, minerals and waste and local land charges, is in the process of moving to a single computer system. “This improved system will benefit local residents and ensure a consistent service is provided throughout the county. “During the time of transition, we will aim to keep any disruption to those services to an absolute minimum.”