What user research taught us about designing useful digital planning case studies  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Design, Digital Planning, Ways of working
A person looking at a laptop screen that shows one of the case studies

What turns a case study into something people can use? Insights from local planning authorities shaped a user-centred approach to a series of digital planning case studies, helping them sit alongside plan-making guidance, support peer learning and build confidence in how planning teams use digital tools.

Stress-testing an AI tool to explore its potential for faster local plans and greater citizen engagement 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Planning, PropTech
A planning officer sitting at a desk with the PlanAI tool displayed on the computer screen in front of her.

We’re exploring if AI can help support faster local plan preparation. An AI tool developed by Greater Cambridge Shared Planning and the University of Liverpool is now being stress-tested by 5 local authorities, to see if the initial results – accurate consultation summaries produced in a fraction of the time - can be replicated elsewhere.

Progressing my senior developer career with an apprenticeship 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Apprenticeships, Careers
two colleagues working on code together

It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2026 – a chance to showcase the value of apprenticeships for both individuals and organisations. Apprenticeships aren't only for beginners or career changers – within MHCLG, we also provide them as an effective way for experienced specialists at all levels to grow professionally.

Funding Service: How we built a new funding platform for MHCLG

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Funding Service
A screenshot showing the 'Access grant funding' page

Over the past year, the Funding Service has been building a new funding platform for the department based on an entirely new single codebase. This post outlines the technical choices and approach that guided the build of the platform, and how the functionality will support MHCLG to deliver grants faster, better and cheaper.

Testing new planning data standards with industry: what we learned from phase 1 and where we go next

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Digital Planning
Drawing of a laptop showing various graphics and anonymous data on screen

We've completed the first phase of testing new data standards for planning applications. Working with local planning authorities, software suppliers and the Planning Portal, we examined how draft specifications align with real systems and workflows. The result? A clearer understanding of what works and what needs refining before wider implementation.

Our journey to delivering the Fire and Rescue Data Platform 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Technology
A firefighter with a fire engine in the background

The recently launched Fire and Rescue Data Platform (FaRDaP) is one of the most critical digital services underpinning emergency response across England, Scotland and Wales. Learn how the FaRDaP team built and now run a nationwide service that helps record incident data more easily, keeps communities safer, and supports the future of the fire sector.

More local planning authorities commit to making their planning data open and join Open Digital Planning 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Digital Planning
Members of Open Digital Planning at tables during an event

Planning data locked in PDFs and legacy systems creates barriers for everyone. This February, 49 more local planning authorities are joining the Digital Planning Improvement Fund to publish essential planning data in open, standardised formats making it easier for residents, businesses and developers to find what they need.

Building a data model for planning decisions  

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Digital Planning
Graphic to illustrate planning data

Every year, local planning authorities make hundreds of thousands of planning decisions. Right now, planning decisions are recorded in dozens of different formats. Find out about the work taking place to change that by creating a data standard for planning decisions.

Modernising democracy: Transforming the Electoral registration officer portal 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Elections, Technology
A person facing away from the camera sitting at a laptop with the screen showing the Electoral registration office portal website

The Electoral registration officer portal (EROP) is used by local authority officials responsible for maintaining accurate electoral registers, and to process millions of applications directly affecting people’s ability to vote. Learn how the Elections Digital team transformed this service, making it more efficient and better equipped to support future electoral reforms.

A year of transforming England’s planning system 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Digital Planning, PropTech
The Open Digital Planning community gathering at an event in Medway, in 2025

Read about our year transforming England's planning system through new partnerships, innovations and momentum. Everything we do aims to give communities a planning system that is data-driven, efficient and accessible, supporting the government's mission to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament.