Digital Planning Improvement follow-up funding

The application window for the Digital Planning Improvement follow up funding is now closed. Applications are no longer being accepted.  

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]  

Purpose

This funding, launched on the 12 January 2026, is an expression of interest-based opportunity for local planning authorities (LPAs) in Open Digital Planning (ODP). The objective is to support LPAs within the ODP community to modernise the planning services and software they use in decision-making. 

There are two tracks of funding:

Track 1: PlanX adoption 

• £20,000 for licensing 

• See eligibility and delivery requirements below 

Track 2: Existing back office improvements 

• £20,000 for relevant work with existing suppliers 

• See eligibility and delivery requirements below 

Eligibility 

These funding opportunities are open to ODP LPAs only, via an expression of interest form.  

Applicants must have demonstrated significant efforts in modernising planning services, for example, through delivery of the majority of the Digital Planning Improvement Fund (DPIF) planning datasets, on the Planning Data platform. 

LPAs may apply for both funds if they meet the individual eligibility criteria for each. 

For track 1, PlanX adoption, the following additional eligibility criteria apply: 

• No previous funding for implementation of ODP co-designed products (PlanX, BOPS and Digital Site Register) 

• Minimum of five planning datasets published on planning.data.gov or at publishable stage, selected from:  
  • Article 4 Directions 
  • Article 4 Direction Area 
  • Conservation Area 
  • Conservation Area Document 
  • Listed Building Outline 
  • Tree Preservation Order 
  • Tree and/or Tree Preservation Order zone 
• And including at least 2 PlanX-required datasets, with significant progress on at least 2 further PlanX-required datasets, where these are defined as: Article 4 Direction area, Conservation Area, Listed building outline, Tree and/or Tree Preservation Zone. This is because PlanX draws upon the planning.data.gov.uk datasets and users of PlanX will not receive accurate outputs without the datasets. 

• Demonstrate significant previous efforts in modernising their planning services. 

Delivery Requirements

To ensure clarity for those applying, and to maximise benefit to the public, the following delivery outcomes are anticipated from all LPAs who are successful in their funding application: 

Both track 1 and track 2:  

• Provide a summary case study (300-500 words) outlining the activities undertaken, the approach adopted and the impact achieved. This case study will be shard in public channels including but not limited to the ODP website, LinkedIn and within the ODP community.  

• Demonstrate Open Digital Planning values and behaviours throughout the funding period, sharing knowledge, identifying opportunities to work together and embed sustainable change. 

PlanX adoption, track 1 only:  

• At least one PlanX service to be live to the public within 1 year of the PlanX contract date 

• Provide monitoring and evaluation data to MHCLG to baseline pre-PlanX services and for any live PlanX service(s) 

Scoring criteria

Expressions of interest will be scored against a defined set of questions, according to:

• Demonstrated commitment to ODP;
• Maturity of proposal;
• Alignment of proposal;
• Scale and feasibility of anticipated benefits to the LPA.

Timeline and application process

The application window for the Digital Planning Improvement follow up funding closed on 23 January 2026. Applications are no longer being accepted.  

 Contact us 

If you have any questions please email [email protected]