A new era in planning

There is growing momentum around digital transformation in planning - ranging from the use of AI to support decision-making through to the future of strategic planning and new towns. What stands out to me the most is the strong shared sense of purpose, among the planning industry, along with the emergence of practical, real-world use cases that are beginning to demonstrate what meaningful change could look like in practice.

How planning is changing and where the friction lies

Planning is undeniably evolving, but not without challenges. Technology is no longer an optional extra; it's central to how we deliver sustainable, inclusive, and efficient plans and policies. But there are tensions that we, as an industry, must address head-on:

1. Not all tech is good tech

There’s growing corporate pressure on planning teams to adopt ‘one-stop-shop’ platforms that aren’t built for planning. Planners don’t need impractical solutions stitched together; they need reliable tools that understand the pains of plan creation and dealing with an incredible amount of data.

We need to be honest that digital tools designed to serve everyone often end up serving no one particularly well. What works for one team may be completely unfit for another, and when budgets are tight, adopting the wrong solution can add more pressure and unnecessary cost. In a sector where public trust and housing delivery are on the line, that’s a risk we can’t afford. Instead of chasing all-in-one platforms, we should prioritise tools that are built around shared data standards and can integrate smoothly across different systems and teams.

That’s why it is vital we hear directly from planners. We cannot build the right tools in isolation. We need honest conversations about what is not working, where the pressure points are, and what could make a real difference day to day. Feedback, even when it is uncomfortable, is how we create solutions that truly support the people doing the work. So please, be brave, be specific, and tell us what you need. We are listening, and we are building with you.

2. Where’s the proof?

Tech providers often make big claims about efficiency, transparency, or engagement improvements, but planners are right to ask: Where’s the evidence?

One easy, practical improvement digital companies should focus on is generating real case studies with measurable outcomes. What’s the actual time saved? What cost reduction was achieved? Did the tool help unlock a site faster or improve community sentiment?

To avoid burdening stretched LPAs, case studies should be:

• Lightweight to contribute to structured interviews or blogs
• Visual and shareable
• Contextualised to show how others with similar constraints achieved results

Case studies should clearly outline the goals of the change being pursued, how progress will be measured, and which metrics will be used to evaluate success. They should also highlight how data can inform decision-making and support each stage of the process. 

If you're considering a similar path, it's worth engaging with suppliers - or exploring new ones - to better understand what’s possible and how the right tools can help turn ideas into action.

3. Progress for some, a threat to others

We also need to confront a hard truth. For some stakeholders, better technology feels like a loss, not a gain.

Take planning agents. In many cases, it’s not in their best interest to use streamlined, digital consultation platforms as those platforms reduce the “value add” they offer to their clients. That friction leads to resistance, which slows things down for everyone, especially LPAs.

So, how do we change that? We bring them into design portals that allow agents to showcase their value differently. Give them a role in shaping the tool, so it’s not seen as a threat but as a new mode of working where their expertise still matters.

The same goes for other players; we need to change the narrative from replacement to enablement.

4. Fixing the procurement problem

Finally, innovation is being stifled at the gate by outdated procurement processes. The hoops, the forms, the internal buy-in. They exhaust already overstretched planning teams and discourage innovation.

How can we make procurement easier and smarter? Just a few ideas:

• Pre-made business case templates
• Shared procurement frameworks across LPAs

• Encouragement for Heads of/Leaders to support change

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Resources worth exploring

Whether you're just beginning to explore the possibilities of digital planning or are deep into delivery, there’s a growing library of guidance, tools, and communities ready to support you. Here’s a list of resources that I love to help:

• Digital Planning Directory: A comprehensive listing of digital planning tools and services, facilitating the discovery of innovative solutions tailored to planning needs.
• Create or Update a Local Plan: A collection of resources for local planning authorities on creating or updating a local plan, including guidance and best practices.
• Local Digital – Digital Planning Case Studies: Some inspiration for you. See what other councils are doing by browsing this collection of council led digital planning projects. Funded through the MHCLG Digital Planning programme. These case studies showcase real-world applications and measurable outcomes of digital tools in planning.
• PropTech Engagement Toolkit – Local Digital: A practical guide designed to help local authorities run effective, inclusive digital engagement in the planning process. The toolkit includes methods, templates, and examples to support consultation and is particularly useful for teams applying for or using funding.
• Open Digital Planning: A central hub for digital planning tools, standards, and guidance. It also serves as a supportive community for planning authorities and tech providers, offering peer learning, collaboration, and advice. Crucially, it helps connect local planning authorities with funding opportunities, especially valuable given current budget constraints.
• Planning Inspectorate Guidance: The Planning Inspectorate has been running regular webinars to support LPAs currently producing or submitting their plans. These sessions provide valuable guidance, practical advice, and opportunities to benefit from shared learning and best practice.

Digital planning improvement fund

Earlier this year, Open Digital Planning announced The Digital Planning Improvement Fund 2025/2026, which offers local planning authorities a one-off £50,000 grant to kick-start key digital upgrades. Whether that’s improving planning data, bolstering digital capabilities or adopting modern software. Applications are open until midday on 30 October 2025 (with an online Q&A session on 20 October), and are designed to help councils modernise services, embed shared data standards and deliver faster, more transparent planning outcomes. Don't miss the chance to join this thriving community and turn your digital vision into reality.

Final thoughts

If we can tackle these challenges together, between authorities, tech, agents, and policymakers, we can stop treating planning reform as an impossible task and start making it a shared mission. If you have any thoughts on the above or fancy a conversation on digital planning, feel free to get in touch.