The Government has set out its intention to reform the Local Plan system, with a fundamental goal to get more plans created by reducing the current average preparation time from seven years to a proposed 30 months. While the precise details of this new framework for plan-making are still being finalised, the consultation outcomes make one thing clear: digital planning will be at the heart of this new approach.

 In its summary of responses, the Government highlighted

“broad support for plans to be simpler, more accessible, and visual, together with the increased digitalisation of plans.”

This vision represents a key shift in how Local Plans are created, communicated, and monitored.

For local planning authorities, the shortened timescales will require streamlined processes and digital infrastructure to underpin decision-making. Councils that begin preparing now, by ensuring their planning data, systems and teams are digitally ready, will be best placed to embrace the opportunities of the new plan system.

Why digital readiness matters

Local Plan preparation is a resource intensive, expensive process, shaping the future decades of our neighbourhoods, cities and regions. Under the current system, much of a planning officer’s time preparing these important documents is consumed by manual data handling, fragmented GIS layers and consultation management. This leaves less capacity for the value-adding, expert work of shaping places, innovation and setting long-term strategy. The 30-month system will demand a faster, more agile approach.

Achieving this will depend on councils embedding digital processes into their everyday work, rather than treating them as bolt-on solutions when deadlines loom. This means:

• Organising and cleansing planning data so it can be easily shared, searched and analysed.
• Building a centralised GIS system that provides a single source of truth across the authority and enables effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Training staff in digital tools and digital thinking, so new ways of working are embedded across teams and designed to meet their needs.
• Developing custom methodologies that capture and quantify the local nuances of planning, getting the most out of national and local data to make consistent and informed decisions for their communities.

Over a decade at the forefront of digital planning

At Urban Intelligence, we’ve spent over ten years at the forefront of digital planning innovation. We work with councils across the country of all sizes and natures - from newly merged councils to large rural authorities. Our team of planners, data scientists and technology experts work with council planning teams to modernise Local Plan-making. We've helped resource-strapped teams not only find time-saving efficiencies, but the capability to understand their communities better than ever.

We know that digital readiness is about more than simply adopting a product. It’s about harnessing the potential of planning by streamlining everyday processes, helping councils to:

• Merge, clean and centralise planning datasets, like recently merged Somerset Council
• Analyse and scrutinise GIS data to address complex local challenges,
• Train and equip staff to embrace digital ways of working and purpose-built tools that centre around their plan-making needs,
• Streamline processes, like reducing site assessment time by 86% through standardisation,
• Create bespoke methodologies that reflect the unique context of each place,
• Co-design and develop innovative new product features - designed by planners, for planners,
• Establish processes and champions for innovation and collaboration,

Our PlaceMaker platform provides the infrastructure, but our partnership with councils is what drives transformation. Together, we are laying the foundations for a new era of Local Plan-making that is faster, smarter, and more collaborative - sharing learnings and innovations across our PlaceMaker Community.

The new Local Plan framework is not yet live but the shift to digital is already happening. Councils are preparing now to be in the best position to hit the ground running once the new Local Plan system is confirmed.

 At Urban Intelligence, we are passionate about supporting councils to make this transition. Whether it’s data cleansing, GIS expertise, or embedding digital processes into your team through our PlaceMaker platform, we can help you prepare for the digital era of Local Plan-making.

If your council would like to explore how PlaceMaker and our team can support your journey towards digital readiness, book your free demo or a 15-minute call to discuss the next steps on your digital planning journey.