Frequently Asked Questions

What is e-government and e-planning?

Since the Millennium there has been a national drive to achieve electronic government. One such initiative is e-planning.

In the broadest of terms, e-government and e-planning is a new way for people to do business with national and local government by making use of the internet (sometimes referred to as the ‘information super highway’).

The aim is to offer quicker and easier access to public services ‘24/7’ thus making life easier for residents and business, and making public service provision more responsive, integrated and cost -effective.

Equally, to minimize social exclusion, internet facilities are provided (free) at the Council’s offices during normal working hours and also at Council libraries.

What is Headway Interactive?

Headway Interactive offers an integrated approach to land and property information at the local, community level.

Headway Interactive itself is a free on-line, self-service information system. Using our system enables you to look up a wide range of information from our various public Registers, these in the form of data, scanned application documents and electronic maps.

Who provides Headway Interactive?

Headway Interactive is supplied by MIS Local Government Systems

What does Headway Interactive provide?

Our approach is to combine on-line planning information from key systems:-

· Planning and Building Control database(s) for Register detail

· Scanning systems which provides access to scanned planning application details

· Mapping systems showing- amongst other things- application site locations (from 1994 for Building Regulation Applications)

This information can be access in 4 main ways:-

Searching individual applications or by address
Searching ‘Register’ for group lists such as for Appeals or Enforcements
Basic scanned planning application files* to show application form, plans, officer/committee report and third party letters
Map based Registers such as tree Preservation Orders
Information is provided in real-time

What about on-line performance?

The basic advice is that the better your equipment and Connections to the web, then the quicker our system can respond. We would suggest that the best performance is likely to be secured using broadband Internet and a PC with current specifications.

Older PC specifications and use of modems are likely to offer slower responses- especially when opening our scanned planning files. Planning Interactive is best viewed using Internet Explorer version 5.5 or above with a screen resolution of 1024 by 768 (with a minimum resolution of 800 by 600) and at least 256 colours. However, use of the minimum resolution is likely to restrict your viewing.

How do I use Headway Interactive?

Headway Interactive has been designed to be as simple and easy to use as possible. Help (how to) and Information (info about) options have been provided together with on-screen advice. The main menu has been designed to reflect basic themes and there are also quick links and standard navigation options.

Given the self-service nature of our on-line service we are not able to provide any on-line support service dealing with any technical/performance issues arising from the use of your equipment. This also applies to use of the Planning Portal.

You will be automatically advised if by any chance there is a technical problem which is our responsibility. In such events your patience would be appreciated.

We do not currently recommend that A0 plans be printed off given the volume of data involved. An A4 screen shot of the A0 is probably a useful alternative

Are there any catches?

As with any new system, and one drawing on archive data , there are some caveats which should be taken into account before using:-

Headway Interactive undergoes periodic enhancement and development and so any problems reported that can be addressed are incorporated into the next release. Hence some planned options shown are pending a subsequent release.

We are obliged to take account of the Data Protection Act so at present we do not provide web based public access to the complete scanned planning application file. However, you may view the complete application file, including archive 3rd party representations (but excluding confidential information), at the Council Offices during normal working hours.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of current addresses held on our system we cannot guarantee the results of any address based search and so it is recommended that results be independently double checked before use

Likewise we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of our data and so it is recommended that results
(such as very recent decisions) be verified before use.
Lastly- we can make mistakes. If you find one please let us know by contacting us here