OBJECTING to the height of your neighbour's new fence has never been easier thanks to an innovative on-line planning facility.

Residents can view architects' drawings, submit objections or see how their own application is progressing at the touch of a button at the new planning section of Stroud District Council's website.

The site is also a godsend for anyone thinking of moving house or the plain nosy.

By entering a postcode into the search facility, the nearest surgery, creche or sports centre to any house on the database can be located.

Users can also see how the standard of living in their area compares to other places in the district.

Applications are searchable by criteria including reference number, location, applicant's name and date received.

All decisions made in the last seven days are also available to view along with recently submitted proposals.

While paper versions of applications will still be available, specially trained staff are on hand at Ebley Mill to show visitors how to use the site and offer advice on the planning process.

Phil Skill, head of planning, said the new site marked the beginning of a more democratic approach to development.

"The idea is that the information can be viewed without people having to drive from Minchinhampton to Stroud just to see the drawings," he said. "We are hoping we will receive more informed comments.

"It will also result in fewer people banging on councillors' doors, save paper and give the parish councils more power.

"They will be able to see the plans very quickly as opposed to waiting until their planning meeting."

The new site can be found at www.stroud.gov.uk/planning