Building a house? Get permission online

Planning applications could in future be made online in Guernsey.

It's one of a number of objectives set by the Environment Department following a recent survey.

The feedback has flagged up a number of things those who administer planning applications could do better.

That includes improving customer service and the way the department communicates with islanders, giving staff more training so they are better at giving advice to potential applicants, and to get more people involved in the ongoing review of Guernsey's planning law.

Environment Minister, Deputy Roger Domaille, said: "It is important that we ask our customers what they think of the services we provide and that we listen very carefully to their replies. We are extremely pleased that the level of response has increased from previous surveys and we are very grateful to all those who took the time and effort to give us their views."

Islanders can already look at current and previous planning applications online through the States of Guernsey website at www.gov.gg - it is also started holding open planning meetings so islanders can see how particularly contentious decisions are made.

Allowing applications to be submitted online would be a natural extension of the work that has been underway for the past two years.

What an excellent statement from Deputy Roger Domaille let the islanders hope he carries through. In Jersey many years ago the Planning department suggested charging in order to build a fund to finance historic and important buildings relative to Jersey's heritage. Cannot argue with that so it got voted through the States with the publics support.

The increased charges now levied on all planning applications have been diverted to cover almost 40% of their incredibly well paid people wage bill it goes up incidentally above inflation most years.

It sounds to Jersey like your Deputy Domaille is a breath of fresh air trying to do right for the people of Guernsey without hideous charges of course ? What the hell do we pay tax for if it's not to fund the administration. In Jersey we pay three taxes.

They are Income, user pays - states departments like planning, the hospital for an X ray to mention just a couple, and GST.

Keep your politicians away from Jerseys' if you want quality of life ( most in Jersey are weak but a small minority are not ) we have wealthy self interested and self important leaders.

Boatyboy.