CHANGES could be made to the way people are notified of planning applications across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

As part of the latest work to harmonise operations across the three towns, BCP Council is proposing to introduce a unified approach to how it publicises new schemes.

Cabinet members are being recommended to approve a “hybrid” method of informing neighbours of sites earmarked for development with a mix of site notices and more expensive letters.

The way planning departments in each town publicise planning applications varies with protocols continued from the now-abolished former councils.

In Bournemouth, only site notices are used whereas letters are sent to neighbouring homes in Christchurch and Poole.

A report to the cabinet, ahead of its meeting on Wednesday, said that letters cost the council three times more than a notice and recommended they only be sent in specific circumstances.

The report said they were "more effective and efficient", at a cost of about £1.33 each, than sending letters out individually at a cost of £4 each.

“The basic principle of this is that where there are only a few neighbouring properties then a letter can be sent out at relatively low cost,” the report said.

“Where there are numerous neighbouring properties, site notices will be used to ensure that the financial implications are minimised.

“This principle has worked will in Poole where, since 2008, site notices are used to publicise applications where there are more than 10 residents in adjoining or opposite properties.”

In 2018/19 Christchurch council sent out 4,700 letters about planning application while the number in Poole was 15,000.

The report estimates that the cost of notifying people about applications by site notice would be just over £6,000 a year compared to almost £188,000 by letter.

The report says the proposed hybrid approach would cost the council an extra £15,000 annually due to the need for the Bournemouth planning department to start issuing letters.