Planning cutbacks could be reversed in July

THERE are hopes that a temporary cutback on planning services will be lifted at the start of July following recruitment success.

The planning duty officer and pre-application enquiry services were suspended in January due to staff shortages.

The council’s planning service said it regrets that the suspension has been extended.

But there is hope on the horizon following recruitment drive that three new planning officers will be in post to allow the services to resume on 4 July.

Chairman of Shetland Islands Council’s development committee Alastair Cooper said earlier this year that staff were “inundated” with work.

The same two planning services were suspended for a number of weeks last year in the aim of tackling a backlog of applications.

While the suspension remains in the place the building standards team will continue to provide a duty officer service.