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The Digital Planning team

The Digital Planning Team at MHCLG

Data standards: Laying the groundwork for an open, faster, data-driven planning system 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Data, Digital Planning
graphic showing file inputs into a computer screen from planning data.gov.uk

Regulations have been laid in Parliament requiring local planning authorities to publish plan and timetable data in a standardised format, when creating local, minerals, waste or supplementary plans under the new plan-making system. This marks a major step towards a more open, data-driven planning system.

Extract: unlocking England’s planning data

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Data, Digital Planning
a group of people sitting around a table looking at a big screen showing the Extract tool

England's planning system holds decades of valuable data locked in scanned PDFs and digital documents. Extract, an AI tool developed by MHCLG in partnership with the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence, converts historic planning maps and documents into standardised, usable data - so local authorities can make their data available and power digital planning services.

The planning technology projects changing the planning system

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Planning, PropTech
An aerial view of a residential area

New technology is transforming how planning is delivered. 3 of the 4 finalists in this year's Planning Awards' digital technology category are funded by the Digital Planning programme, demonstrating how AI tools and technology are saving time, improving consistency and helping deliver 1.5 million homes.

Transforming planning with PlanX and new funding to help local planning authorities reap the rewards

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Digital Planning, Planning software
Mobile phone in a person's hand displaying the PlanX interface

Local planning authorities are modernising planning services using open data. New software like PlanX is improving the experience for applicants, while back-office improvements are speeding up processing. New funding will help more authorities adopt tools and make improvements, freeing up planning teams to focus on delivering the homes communities need.

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.

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.

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.

Digital planning transformation gains momentum  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Digital Planning
A large group of people posing for a picture

Open Digital Planning (ODP) is becoming a powerful force for change in local government, allowing planning authorities to modernise planning services. With 24 authorities joining this month, through the Digital Planning Improvement Fund, the movement is gaining momentum. Read about how ODP brings councils and experts together to drive innovation in the planning sector.

Putting innovation at the heart of unlocking small sites

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Digital Planning, PropTech
A title card that says 'PropTech innovation challenge: opportunities to accelerate housing delivery. Apply now.'

The Deputy Prime Minister has unveiled a package of measures to empower SME housebuilders to build out smaller sites faster. The Digital Planning programme’s £1.2 million PropTech Innovation Challenge is one of the initiatives included – designed to accelerate housing delivery across England by inviting tech innovators to partner with local authorities and developers to …

Unlocking planning innovation: 150 brilliant minds collaborate in Leeds 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Planning, Ways of working
Teams collaborating at the hackathon

Innovation was sparked at the Local Government Innovation Hackathon, where 150 planners, technologists and digital leaders collaborated to solve real planning challenges. MHCLG proudly co-organised the event with Government Digital Service, Incubator for AI and Open Digital Planning, reimagining planning services through this hands-on approach.