Dorset Council has cleared the planning validation backlog, with applications now being validated within a few days of receipt.

The authority has also brought together planning data from five former district councils onto one planning database. The final phase of migration work is due to be completed in the new year.

Validation is the first stage in the planning application process. It checks whether all the information required to process the application has been submitted.

Councillor David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said: "Clearing the validation backlog has been a huge task and well done to all concerned. But this means that a large wave of applications must go through the planning process.

"Our planning officers now have the huge task of assessing all the applications, and there will still be some delays in issuing decisions.

"Please bear with us while our team works hard to assess these applications and issue decisions."

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