A NEW service aimed at giving residents the chance to find out about new planning applications in their area has been launched by Barnet Council.

Barnet Planning Alerts allows people to receive emails giving updates on applications which have been lodged for properties in a particular street or area.

Anyone can register by visiting the planning alerts page on the council's website and entering their email address along with either a postcode or the ward of the borough they are interested in.

An automatic email is then sent out to the resident asking them to confirm they wish to sign up for the service.

Details of planning applications can be provided for the areas within 200 yards, half a mile or a mile of the postcode given.

Councillor Robert Rams, cabinet member for customer access and partnerships, said: "The joy of the planning alerts service is that it couldn't be any easier to get regular updates about what is happening in your area.

"It's important we are much more transparent about the work of the council and we've been ahead of the curve in publishing things like expenditure over £500 and performance data on the website.

“This is another example of Barnet being among the first to open up the work of the council.”

Councillor Richard Cornelius, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: "The public's involvement in the planning process is incredibly important and anything that contributes to more people becoming involved, and potentially making their views known, is something to be welcomed.”

To sign up for Barnet Planning Alerts click the link in the highlights section on the homepage of the council's website: here