Over 100,000 people and businesses have saved an average of £241 through online planning applications to the ePlanning Scotland website since its launch in 2009, according to the Scottish government.

The site is forecast to save the public and private sector over £71m by 2019.

Over 60% of all applications and appeals are now being submitted online.

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: "A modern and efficient planning system plays a crucial role in helping drive Scotland's sustainable economic growth. For years, members of the public and the business community across Scotland were mired in red tape. Filling out paperwork was laborious and costly.

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"ePlanning Scotland has improved the overall performance of the planning system by encouraging online applications, which has simplified the process and saved money. It demonstrates the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to supporting high quality public services in partnership with local government. These figures demonstrate that good progress is being made, but there is more to do to make planning much more user friendly."

Edinburgh-based architect David Blaikie said: "ePlanning has led the way and as a practice, we find the service easy and effective to use. The design of the on-line portal - the selection of the correct form, information about the required drawings and options for payment method - all makes the submission of an application straight forward.

"Rather than printing drawings and filling in forms, the digital ePlanning system provides a submission system that fits in with the way we work."

(IT/CD)