OBJECTIVE KEYPLAN
Site Gathering:
Q: Can we use the site files in our GIS system? What file format are they in?
A: Yes, you can export GeoJSON or Shape files back into your GIS system.
Q: If you have to amend a site boundary if the applicant has made an error, can you force a re-assessment in the system?
A: Amendments can be made in Maptionnaire before you export to your GIS system or after. If a site boundary is amended, you will be able to trigger a re-assessment within the system to ensure all information is up to date.
Q: Regarding constraints, I have assumed that when a site is submitted, the systems confirms if it is (for example) within a conservation area? Contains Listed Buildings. Is a flood zone etc, etc? We assess against 80 constraints. Can the system assess that many at once?
A: Constraint layers can be added in Maptionnaire and basic rules enforced e.g. they can't draw on a flood risk zone. When it comes to the assessment from the Site Management tools, we plan that the system can be configured to assess individual or multiple constraints.
Q: Can we have an example of the bulk upload? Council's will often send a list of potentially hundreds of sites to a consultee, and they will then send an excel spreadsheet back with the assessment of all the sites. Can this be uploaded?
A: Yes, you will be able to import this data into Keyplan. We plan to generate a template which can be filled in and can then be imported back into the system.
Q: Can you have a multiple of question forms in one Call for Sites Event? E.g. to assess different types of sites uses.
A: You can have multiple question forms with a range of different of different question types that best suit the information you’re collecting.
Q: How customisable are the Call for Sites forms? Can each LPA have their own version of the Call for Sites form? And how customisable are the assessment criteria used to assess promoted sites?
A: Each LPA can have multiple question forms with a range of different of different question types that best suit the information you’re collecting. There is no limit on the number of forms.
Q: When somebody is plotting a site through the call for sites, can they snap to map features? And/or upload a pre-existing GIS file for their polygon?
A: Snap to previously drawn features is not available at the moment. This is a feature we will consider in the future.
Q: Can the map surface more detailed OS mapping, such as a MasterMap base?
A: You can add your own basemaps as WMS - OSM maps that you have the rights, or you can use the global system maps we provide.
Q: Can existing GIS layers showing available sites be imported into the Keyplan software, to avoid having to re-map sites already recorded?
A: Yes, existing GIS layers can be imported in in multiple formats, such as GeoJSON, and Shape files. You can even connect your live GIS layers through a WMS link if preferred.
Site Assessment:
Q: The ability to upload other sites from other sources would be really useful. Often Call for Sites are one source of site in site assessment work. If we are sending sites to external consultees we would want to do it once, using one system.
A: The Keyplan system will allow you to consolidate all site information and data within one place, which will allow you to easier send sites to external stakeholders or alternatively set up invite-only consultations for these selected few.
Q: What does an 'export' look like? Can it be customised? (Members like things presented to them in a specific way).
A: Currently we're looking at three types of Export for site question data. CSV (with the ability to set up custom views to pick fields), PDF export where the answers are rendered in a PDF (similar to submissions in Keyplan). Finally, we want to be able to turn them into Keyplan content for use in documents. Files will come out as they are. At an individual site level, we plan that you'll be able to generate a zip of all the data.
Q: Can you import existing data from another programme such as the history of the sites? As we use our existing data in our current programme, we use to assess the existing sites alongside assessing new sites.
A: Yes, you would be able to import existing data for sites. This will allow you to build a rich history of a site so you can understand how the history and data has changed over time.
Q: Does the system flag up when more than one entry has been added for the land area of land - i.e when there has been a change of ownership.
A: In the embedded Maptionnaire survey, where the sites can be plotted, you can add different kinds of overlays that can also be used as constraint layers, so you could add the previously plotted sites for information for the residents. However, at this moment the information needs to be manually reviewed and updated.
Site Register:
Q: Can you link the Objective data to existing systems? As we use our call for sites HELAA data in our existing planning systems too
A: Yes, we envisage being able to export the data in a variety of formats.
Q: Who imports the existing databases created outside of Objective and how easy is that process?
A: Whilst the import tools are still being built, we have planned for these to be self-serve.
Q: Will it generate pdf maps of the sites automatically?
A: You can add static images of sites but currently the generation of them is not automatic.
General:
Q: Can you import contact details from an existing database in bulk uploads in order to contact people who are in our existing systems?
A: Yes, Keyplan offers a full consultee database that you can import contacts into and connect consultation data to which will allow you to keep a rich history of.
Q: How much time is needed from procurement to setting up a Call for Sites?
A: The Call for Sites package is available on G-Cloud which cuts your procurement teams time investment significantly due to pre-populated standard terms and conditions. You can also procure via direct award and we’re happy to set up a call to discuss next steps and timelines.
Q: Could the system be set up to send out automatic notifications to people with interests in a specific area - e.g. parish councils who are interested in land coming forward as available in their areas, for the purpose of neighbourhood planning?
A: Keyplan has an in-built email messaging system that allows you to automatically send out notifications when certain actions take place. This is currently not implemented for the mapping areas; however, this is something we can look into including into the product in later development.
