The planning system in England has been partially digitised, however services have not kept pace with improvements in consumer technology. Many planning departments are struggling with inefficient legacy systems that have been in place for over 20 years. Moves to help LPAs to update these systems are now underway.
One of the aims of the MHCLG Digital Planning Programme is to transform planning processes and enable faster and more efficient planning decisions. Intrinsic to this is improving the user-experience for people applying for planning permission, and giving planning officers the tools needed to reduce errors, time and costs when processing applications.
In order to help achieve this MHCLG have established Open Digital Planning (ODP), a community of over 100 forward-thinking LPAs, and includes digital agencies and government partners, united in shaping a more efficient, data-driven planning system.
ODP is co-designing and testing new digital services:
- PlanX: A public interface that enables homeowners, businesses and planning agents access to intuitive to use services to get guidance about their projects and submit planning applications, notices and reports.
- Back office planning system (BOPS): An application for handling and managing documents that makes it easier for planners to process and manage applications.
- Digital Planning Register: An engagement tool that keeps residents informed and encourages public involvement with planning applications.
PAS has partnered with ODP to provide learning and development opportunities accessible for its members.