AWARD-winning Dudley Council planners are in the running for another top prize for their efforts in making it quicker and cheaper for people to apply for planning permission.

The council’s planning service has been shortlisted in the 2015 Planning Awards for Excellence.

Judges were impressed when they realised around 60 per cent of planning applications were being submitted online, making the planning process speedier and cheaper.

People can also track progress via the website and pay online.

Planning bosses say the system saves time and money for people working with the council and also allows them to access a wider range of planning information at any time and from anywhere.

John Millar, Dudley's acting strategic director for economy, environment and housing, said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted in such a prestigious award which is recognition of all the hard work that goes into constantly improving the way we work with the public.

“It is great to see our work being hailed at a national level.”

The planning team's place on the shortlist comes just days after planning and regeneration staff won the national Placemaking Awards 2015 for the best project in the Midlands for their work on the £65million regeneration plans for Dudley town centre.

The Awards for Planning Excellence, which are run by the Royal Town Planning Institute and recognise planning excellence, will be announced in July.

Projects on the shortlist have been recognised for their national contribution to planning and demonstrate how significant schemes can be delivered quicker and more efficiently.