THE planning department at Hambleton District council is to be beefed up to cope with an increase in applications.

Eight new posts are to be created – including two graduate trainee planners – to deal with the upsurge.

The new posts are expected to cost an additional £257,510 – with around £100,000 of it offset by the expected increase in planning fees

Cabinet members were told the unit had come under increased pressure over recent months due to staffing issues and an upturn in applications as well as enforcement cases.

“It has become clear that in order to deal with these issues we need additional resources brought in – and brought in as quickly as possible,” said council leader,Mark Robson.

“We need to invest in one of our most important services, especially one of the most public ones.

"We are seeing an upsurge in applications so not only do we need the officers to deal with them but it means we can divert the expected additional income from them to help pay for an improved service."

The new posts will be advertised on hambleton.gov.uk