Richmond Council announced on 6 February that its new planning system is live, bringing "several improvements to the functionality for all planning-related services".

The upgrade, which began on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, was essential to implement a more efficient planning system, say the council.

During that period, certain services were temporarily unavailable but can now all services are up and running as normal.

Improvements

• Planning services: Residents can now search for, view, and comment on planning applications. Residents can now submit more detailed comments, including larger document uploads and the option to add images. All applications submitted during the implementation have been successfully transferred to the new system, with deadlines to comment extended by one week.
• Planning Enforcement: There was a brief delay in registering new cases explains Richmond Council, but the service is now up and running. Residents can continue reporting planning control breaches as usual.
• Building Control: Applications submitted between 29 January and 6 February 2025 have been successfully transferred to the new system. Site visits and related work continued without interruption.
• Local Land Charges: Requests for local land charges were paused from 5pm on 24 January 2025, but this service is now up and running.
• Tree applications: Residents can now search for, view, and comment on applications for tree works, including Tree Preservation Orders and Section 211 notices in Conservation Areas.

Residents can provide feedback on the new planning system by contacting [email protected].

Richmond Council comment: "We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the upgrade period, and we are confident the new system will offer a more efficient and effective experience for residents."