The Planning Portal has launched a new website on March 29, 2016 that features improved content focused on key user tasks, upgraded guidance, and a more responsive mobile-friendly design. Usage of the Planning Portal increased in April 2016 compared to the previous year. Future developments discussed include adding additional application forms, a self-service area for local planning authorities, and payment options. The Planning Portal aims to work with local authorities to further reduce costs, increase speed, and improve customer experience of the planning process.

1. The Planning Portal you know
and trust… only better

2. The Bond Company, Central Birmingham
24-25 May 2016
Developing local authority e-planning to reduce costs,
increase speed and improve the customer experience
Scott Alford
Head of Local Authority Engagement
t: 07771 566973, e: scott.alford@planningportal.co.uk

3. New website Launched –
29th March 2016

4. The NEW Planning Portal
• Improved content: Focusing on key user tasks – researching planning &
building consent and making it easier to submit applications of all types
• Upgraded guidance & more interactive links within the site with an
improved online application service
• Cloud-based service delivering a faster more responsive design giving full
access to Smartphones and tablets (20% of our usage is via mobile device)
• A small but significant brand refresh giving the site a fresher look and feel
• Improved application ‘Amendment’ function with comprehensive email
notifications
• and… its Free to local authorities and applicants with dedicated support!
• The only National Planning & Building service supported by all authorities in
England & Wales
A joint venture between and

5. Driving channel shift in
service delivery
March 16 Apps: 47,747 ( 2.9%) – average of 2,062 applications p/d
April 16 Apps: 46,443 ( 11.7%) – average of 2,051 applications p/d

6. The New Planning Portal
Future Development roadmap…
• Addition of Prior Notification & Mineral forms to existing suite of forms
• New self-service area for LPAs – to configure services on the Portal; acceptable file sizes,
Render new logo for paper forms & configure ‘No. of paper copies’, plus improved reporting and analytics
• New Payment Option – enable the client to pay application fee directly to the LPA
when using an agent
• National Standard Online Building Control submission service with integration to
back-office systems (delivery options under review to introduce ASAP)
With new value-added services still to come…
• Improved Interactive House/Terrace & mini-guides that will be device compliant
– in development
• Standard Pre-Application submission service

7. A key factor to any future success is the on-going engagement and partnership with LPAs
• Helping to design, develop and build upon our service provision for the benefit of LAs and our shared customers
• Planning Portal LPA Representative group to facilitate this in practice
• Delivered via a LA collaboration tool highlighting proposed changes allowing you to dip-in and out of those
important to you.
• Opportunity to stay in touch
Join our Knowledge Hub group today and participate in helping shape what we do - https://khub.net/web/planning-
portal-local-authority-group
Our Commitment to you

8. Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

9. Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

10. Easier & quicker file
attachment…
Opportunity to automate document
retrieval & indexing to your EDRMS
& public register!

11. New Plan naming convention
We are seeking your comments to define the common plan type names. This should
give additional confidence to auto-index all supporting information.
From LPA feedback so far we are proposing:
Proposed Standard Plan types
Block plan of the site
Bin Storage plan
Combined Plans
Daylight/Sunlight assessment
Existing Elevation Plans
Floor Plans
Landscaping Plans
Other Plans
Photographs & photomontages
Proposed Elevation Plans
Roof Plans
Topographical Plan
Section Plans
Site Layout Plans
Sketch Plan (for Tree applications)
Street Scene
Survey Plans
The Location Plan (also known as The Site Location Plan)
Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

12. Planning Portal Links
• New Planning Portal links guide for LPAs with recommended content
• Holistic service for information & guidance with links to key services & tools
Website Usage Apr-16 Apr-15
Visits (sessions) 763,836 977,991
Visitors (users) 457,930 477,673
• Focus on key customer user journeys
• Utilise direct links to services rather than homepage
• Planning Professionals / Agents like consistency & continuity
Planning Portal links best practice guide:
https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/lpalinks.pdf
Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

13. GML file for Site Location Plans
Facilitating the transfer of site location plan information to support mandatory location plans
• A file containing the polygon(s) of the site and ownership for input into your GI systems
How are sites plotted within your authority?
Will receiving a geographical (GML) file help to realise efficiencies if they could be integrated
directly without requiring any resource?
Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

14. BIM - Building Information Modelling
Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

15. Already used by many planning & building professionals on development schemes but
generally not submitted in support of applications.
Will this help improve the Planning & Building process or is it the Emperor’s new clothes?
BIM - Building Information Modelling
Reduce costs, increase speed &
improving the customer experience

16. Thank you for your time
Scott Alford
Head of Local Authority Engagement
T: 07771 566973, E: scott.alford@planningportal.co.uk
www.planningportal.co.uk
A joint venture between and