That is the conclusion of an independent report published following a peer review.
The review, which took place in October, was conducted by an experienced team including Cllr Danny Beales, Cabinet Member at Camden Council, Steve Barker from the Local Government Association Planning Advisory Service and chief planners at Barking and Dagenham, Birmingham and Milton Keynes councils.
The feedback report noted the “senior leadership of the service is especially highly regarded and seen as accessible, responsive, and supportive.”
It said the planning service "is performing well against the national planning performance regime for speed and quality of decision making, with a very low number of appeals and complaints compared to other local authorities.”
The report also described how the planning enforcement team, which investigates potential unauthorised developments, is “working very well with high levels of performance.” The Council’s Quality Review Panel was also recognised “as driving good quality design in the area” through its expert panel of architects, urban design and sustainability professionals.
The council’s Planning Committee, which makes decisions on whether or not to approve planning permission for major new housing, employment and infrastructure developments , was described as “a very good example of how public facing planning committees are run”.
Staff spoken to as part of the review were “regarded positively by developers and agents... community groups” and had a “genuine passion for the service.”
Cllr Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters and Planning, said: “I am really pleased with the positive feedback from the peer team in their report.
“It shows how far we have come since being named as the worst planning authority in 2012 to now being seen as one of the best. This is a big recognition of the hard work of our staff, our councillors, our residents, businesses, investors and other partners who we work with to deliver good planning and placemaking in the borough.
“We can only tackle the housing crisis, the climate crisis, create good jobs and improve social wellbeing for our residents and businesses with a strong and well-functioning planning service.
“We know there is still lots of work to do in developing and engaging on our emerging new Local Plan and further applying the Haringey Deal approach to everything we do. Our Action Plan shows we are stepping up to this challenge, despite the difficult financial environment and economic context that councils and the development industry face.
“I would like to personally thank the work of the peer team – their recommendations will be really helpful in ensuring Haringey’s planning service strives for the best.”
The council invited various resident groups and developers to speak to the panel. The report said there “was a strong desire from the residents’ groups and communities that we spoke with to engage in the planning process” and it was acknowledged that “Partners were aware that there were some resourcing challenges within the service.”
Peers set out several recommendations for further improvement, including:
- Clearing a backlog of planning applications
- Continuing engagement on the emerging new Local Plan as part of the Haringey Deal
- Continuing “good initial work underway” to maximise income – Haringey is one of a few councils to offer a Fast-Track Service as part of wide-ranging Planning Advice Services
- Completing the implementation of a new digital system
The Local Government Association (LGA) Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Peer Challenge Report was the result of intensive research and interviews with staff, councillors and partners.
The report will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 12 March.
