Planning application response deadline extended amid system upgrade issues

Oldham Council say it has extended the deadline for comments for any planning applications affected by a system upgrade, with the online portal for responses having been unavailable for periods. 

Lib Dem Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, shadow cabinet member for housing and homelessness, wrote to the authority's head of planning calling for an extension to the duration of time that residents can respond to current applications affected by the transfer to the new system. 

Councillor Al-Hamdani, who also serves the Saddleworth West & Lees ward, said: "Upgrading the systems is great, and I look forward to having a more robust system in place. However, we need to make sure that while we’re in this period, residents don’t get short-changed.

"At the national level, I and my fellow councillors are fighting tooth and nail against changes to the planning system which would remove residents’ voices from the planning process. Locally, during what should be a temporary issue, we need to make sure we do the same." 

The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused and is "working to resolve any issues as quickly as possible". 

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: “We can confirm that we have extended the deadline for comments for any planning applications affected by the transfer to the new system.

“If you would like to make a comment and are unable to view the documents, please contact the case officer (if known) or email planning.admin@oldham.gov.uk. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.”