A Lib Dem councillor has persuaded Haringey Council to start using much clearer envelopes when informing local residents about planning applications.

Lib Dem Jonathan Bloch (Muswell Hill) says that residents often complain that they have not been made aware of controversial up-and-coming planning applications, when in fact they may have thought that ‘just another letter’ from the council about a planning application was no more than junk mail.

Now, Haringey has agreed that it will order new envelopes for future consultations with residents, which clearly state: “This is not a circular, this letter affects your property”.These envelopes will be in use from next week, and follows good practice in other boroughs.

Lib Dem councillor Jonathan Bloch comments:

“I am pleased that this change is being made. Often residents don’t realise that they are receiving important mail from the council that affects their area.This should go some way to sorting out this problem, and hopefully make more residents take notice. It’s vital that as many residents as possible have their say on planning issues.”