Charges for fast-track planning applications are set to be rolled out across Barnet.

Barnet Borough Council’s policy and resources committee voted last night to approve a pilot scheme starting next Wednesday to introduce a premium service for people willing to pay to speed up the planning process.

Run by Regional Enterprise, a joint venture between the authority and outsourcing firm Capita, extra staff will be brought in to run the service, which will be reviewed after a year.

Under the scheme, households can pay £350 to have their application registered within 24 hours, including having their neighbours consulted within 24 hours and an officer’s recommendation within five weeks.  

The scheme also includes other charges for various planning stages, including advice and the choice of case officer.

The authority claims the money it raises will be reinvested to improve the overall planning service.

But opposition Labour councillors fear the scheme will create a “two-tier” planning system.

Labour councillor Alon Or-bach said: “I see this as the revival of easyCouncil, with hidden charges – pay extra to jump the queue.

“For me, that principle does not work well with the way planning should be. I am concerned about the whole philosophy behind this. Instead of having a public service that is fair and equal for everyone, you are basically saying you get a minimum service unless you are willing to pay extra.”

The East Finchley councillor said he worried there would be no “clear-cut” division between staff working on the enhanced service and the normal one.

Cllr Or-bach added: “I understand the desire for developers to speed up the planning process. But planning is such an important function of the council, and needs people to trust that it’s done properly.

“I am very cautious about this. The arguments we had from Conservative councillors were that this is about flexibility and choice. But how do you know this won’t affect the core planning service? That more attention is given to people willing to pay for the enhanced service? You cannot give a cast iron assurance it won’t have a knock-on effect.”

Conservative Barnet Council leader Cllr Richard Cornelius said: “This pilot offers an accelerated service for those willing to pay, without slowing down or impacting the existing service. Any money made will be reinvested into the service.”

Alan Cox, who runs Alan Cox Associates, an architectural and planning consultancy in High Barnet, questioned the proposals.

Mr Cox said: “It would introduce a premier service. They are trying to encourage charging for a more streamlined service which sounds good in theory.

“If the revenue it raises is ring fenced for going back into the planning system and providing more staff, it could be a positive thing. I know our clients would be happy to pay for an improved service as it would be cost effective for them to do so.

“Whether what they say in theory works in practice though, I’m not sure.”