Within Mid Ulster District Council, we strive to continually improve our Planning Department by gaining feedback. With the installation of our new Planning Portal last year, we are seeing continuous changes towards IT and how this can benefit those working within the Planning Department, as well as our customers. We wish to gain a greater insight into how agents are using the IT system alongside the submission and processing of planning applications.

We ask that you complete the questions below open and honestly so we can strive to make meaningful changes to the systems and services we offer.

Question Title

* 1. How satisfied are you with the service provided by the Planning Department of Mid Ulster District Council

Question Title

* 2. How satisfied are you with the time taken to process planning applications from date validated to date of decision?

Question Title

* 3. How satisfied are you with the provision and usability of the new IT system incorporating planning portal and public access system?

Question Title

* 4. How satisfied are you with the communication you receive from Mid Ulster District Council Planning Department?

Question Title

* 5. How satisfied are you with the transparency of the decision-making process used by Mid Ulster District Council to determine planning applications?

Question Title

* 6. How satisfied are you with consultee response times?

Question Title

* 7. Have you submitted a planning application online through the Planning Portal on the Mid Ulster District Council website?

Question Title

* 8. Do you find our online forms easy to complete?

Question Title

* 9. Do you find it easy to make a payment online to accompany a planning application through the Planning Portal?

Question Title

* 10. Is the submission of applications online through the Mid Ulster Planning Portal your preferred method compared to submission in hard copy?

Question Title

* 11. Can you make any suggested improvements to the planning portal including online forms, payment system and/or technical issues that you may have experienced which have not been resolved?

Question Title

* 12. Are you registered to use Mid Ulster District Council's Public Access System for Planning?

Question Title

* 13. Do you find the tools to track and receive updates on planning applications via the Public Access System useful?

Question Title

* 14. Do you find the tools to view, search and comment on planning applications via Public Access useful?

Question Title

* 15. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 

A planning application submitted to Mid Ulster District Council’s Planning department should be made invalid when insufficient detail or information to access the application is provided.

Question Title

* 16. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Mid Ulster District Council provides adequate opportunity to allow agents to revise plans in order to obtain planning permission.

Question Title

* 17. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

The Case Officer should request amendments to plans as and when requested by consultee bodies.

Question Title

* 18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Revisions to plans should only be requested after all consultee replies are returned and a group decision has been made.

Question Title

* 19. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Additional surveys should only be requested after all consultee replies are returned and a group decision has been made.

Question Title

* 20. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

It would be better if decision making was sped up by further limiting agents opportunities to provide revised plans.

Question Title

* 21. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Professional planning staff generally provide helpful advice.

Question Title

* 22. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Staff within the planning department return my calls and emails.

Question Title

* 23. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Agents and objectors have adequate opportunity to present their views to the Service Director of Planning and/or at Planning Committee meetings.

Question Title

* 24. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Planning Applications with an objection should be presented at Planning Committee.

Question Title

* 25. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Applications recommended for refusal should be given the opportunity to be deferred for further consideration before a decision is made.

Question Title

* 26. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 

Applications should only be deferred where there is additional information presented which has not already been considered.

Question Title

* 27. Compared to the other 10 Councils in Northern Ireland, how would you rate Mid Ulster District Council’s planning department in the approachability of its staff and availability of advice?

Question Title

* 28. Compared to the other 10 Councils in Northern Ireland, how would you rate Mid Ulster District Council’s planning department in the transparency of its decision making and how it makes sure everyone's views are considered?

Question Title

* 29. Compared to the other 10 Councils in Northern Ireland, how would you rate Mid Ulster District Council’s planning department in terms of the ease of use of the Planning Portal and Public Access.

Question Title

* 30. Compared to the other 10 Councils in Northern Ireland, how would you rate Mid Ulster District Council’s planning department in terms of the overall service provided?

Question Title

* 31. Any other comments or suggestions for improvement can be noted here:

Question Title

* 32. Thank you for completing this survey. The answers will be treated anonymously. However, if you wish to leave your name and email address to receive additional information or feedback regarding the survey you are welcome to do so below.

T