Digital Planning Software

DLUHC’s Planning software team is delivering the department’s vision of a new, more modular, software landscape to encourage digital innovation and provide access to underlying data which will help automate routine processes and support faster and more certain decision-making.

We help Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to improve the digital services they use for development management – the part of the planning system that relates to planning applications. Currently, this work happens in two ways:

1. LPAs work with each other to design new software products that meet the principles set out in the Local Digital Declaration and the Government Technology Code of Practice.
   This is happening via the Open Digital Planning project, which has launched live services in a number of partner councils. These new digital services aim to improve the experience for users of the planning system when making applications, and to reduce the administrative burden on planning officers when processing applications for planning permissions to an individual property.
2. LPAs work with their existing service providers to improve the software they are already using, bringing them closer to the department’s vision of a changing software landscape.
   We have previously funded Pathfinder projects for LPAs and their suppliers to develop improvements to the way they report, track and communicate planning application information. We will continue to provide more opportunities for councils wishing to work with existing services providers in the market.

The Planning Software Improvement Fund

We provide funding to LPAs via the Planning Software Improvement Fund. We support our partners through guidance, coordinating and communication activities throughout their funded phases of work.

The Planning Software Improvement Fund is now closed for applications. The outcome of applications will be shared in early 2023. Find out more on this dedicated webpage.