Applying for Planning Permission

Who is it for:

• Applicants
• Planning authorities
• Developers

What it does:

• Shows the potential for a streamlined application process for all parties, ensuring that the right information is provided at the right time.
• The potential for having smarter and more dynamic questions through using data to guide the applicants through the process.
• Shows how applicants could be better guided through the application process, to ultimately improve the quality of applications.

Informed by:

• User research
• eDevelopment service

These prototypes help to illustrate what change could look like. What ultimately is developed could look very different but they give an early opportunity to explore the future of planning.

Location information

Key features of this prototype:

• Detailed location data
  Using location data from a shared cloud platform would enable a future system to identify properties of a location ie if it's in a flood risk zone or a conservation area. This in turn would enable the system to dynamically change questions in an application, based upon the data entered.
• Links to Local Development Plans 
  Linking to a geospatial, digital Local Development Plan would enable the system to flag to applicants if their location sits within a particular area which might have unique location-specific policies.
• Autogenerated location plan
  Location plans could be generated on a common mapping platform ensuring applicants and planners have the same information.​

Validation

Key features of this prototype:

• Decision tree questions
  Each question could relate to the previous question. This would create a straightforward dynamic application form where only required information is provided.
• One form
  A dynamically changing form based on location and description allows us to have one form which caters for many requirements. For example, instead of a Planning Permission form and a Listed Building application, a system could just ask the relevant questions from each form in one, saving the user the need to complete two forms.
• Validation
  Inline validation based on a digitally written Local Development Plan could help authorities to validate an application before it arrives at a planners desk.
• Interactive guidance
  Having interactive guidance based on the location and description of work could assist and guide applicants along the way; for example, providing guidance for "do I need planning permission?".
• Autocalculating fees
  Fees could be calculated automatically based on the description provided in an application. There would be no need to calculate the fee separately.

Track

Key features of this prototype:

• Stay up to date with application progress
  Applicants could track the progress of an application, no need to contact authorities directly to check what stage an application is at.
• Add additional or revised documents
  Applicants could potentially make revisions to their application rather than submitting an additional form.
• Comment and collaborate
  This could help applicants communicate with planners directly, and vice versa, on specific questions about an application or to clarify comments.

National Planning Framework 4

Read the adopted NPF4 on gov.scot