The suggested changes to the planning system set out in the recently launched planning white paper have had some varied reactions. The new approach, based on zoning certain areas, marking some for ‘substantial development’ have fuelled concerns this will leave many developers free to run riot.

Although some of those fears are legitimate, the overhaul of the planning system, if it’s done in the right way, could actually give local communities a bigger opportunity to influence development in their area. Perhaps more than they have ever been able to before.

Involving communities right from the start

Under the current system, when residents and communities object to planning applications they are usually engaging too late in the process to make a difference. There is a common misconception that the best time to object is at the point of application, but this simply isn’t the case.

Planning applications are approved, or not, on the basis of the planning policies set out in the Local Plan. So, for instance, if a group of local residents object to a building during the planning application process, the objection will only normally hold weight if it points to the policies that are not being met.

Most communities aren’t aware of Local Plans, and the white paper presents a great opportunity for local authorities to promote their importance. Doing this would mean more engagement with local residents, not less. This engagement would also be more meaningful, allowing communities to have a say in how planning policies are shaped.

Making Local Plans digital

With the potential introduction of zoning and permitted development within growth areas, the criteria set out in Local Plans has never been more important. There is a huge role for digital to play when it comes to producing and developing plans, and in engaging communities.

If local communities are to have a voice in new developments and the shape of the places they live, Plans need to be readily available and easy to understand. This certainly isn’t the case currently.

Often important information in Local Plans gets tucked away in 200-page pdfs on local planning authorities’ websites. It’s hard to find the latest policies and easily understand what stage an authority is at during its plan making.

At present, there’s no standard structure for Local Plans and their policies are often difficult to read, compare and measure. This also makes it hard to build a picture of planning policy on a regional and national scale.

Getting the most out of planning data

Now is the time for central and local government to start thinking about how they use digital solutions, and about creating standardised policy and development information that gives all stakeholders the ability to understand what constitutes a compliant and non-compliant development.

Having consistent, machine readable data that ties into the original policy allows local planning authorities to remain accountable guardians of Local Plans. It also opens up opportunities for neighbouring planning authorities to work together to develop joint plans or easily view how other authorities are addressing issues.

The ability to trace different components of new developments back to the original planning policy is crucial. It allows local authorities to measure how compliant a development is and act quickly if it falls outside those parameters. Like tracking affordable housing requirements and ensuring that individual homes are pegged to the policies they are serving.

This is why digital Local Plans have such an important role to play in setting the guidelines for future development. It goes hand in hand with the need for live data that gives local authorities the ability to see how effective or ineffective a development is in meeting the needs of the residents they serve. Including knowing if the agreed development has actually been built.

Getting to the golden thread

When people start looking at joining up data in the planning system, they often make the mistake of thinking the journey begins when a planning application hits a council’s inbox. It needs to start some way before that with the development of Local Plans, particularly in this new era where they carry so much importance.

The way to avoid the fears and concerns raised by many about the planning white paper - of disempowering local communities and the shift of too much power towards developers - is to get the digital infrastructure right. Only by doing that can we ensure communities are able to have a real say in what happens in their local area and developers can be held properly to account, as we modernise the planning system and open it up to the market.

Alex Yedigaroff is head of transformation at dxw