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Introduction

Navigating the planning system is challenging, even for seasoned professionals. Even for simple domestic projects, particularly in areas covered by complex Article 4 directives, it can take up to two hours to gather and review site-specific information. Factors like site planning history, restrictive covenants, title deeds, flood risks, and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) require manual cross-referencing across multiple databases, making the process time-consuming and inefficient. This case study tested whether PlanningHub’s insights reports could support professional users, such as planning consultants, by streamlining these administrative burdens and improving efficiency.

Challenges

Preparing planning advice and reports involves repetitive, time-intensive tasks that consume up to 80% of the workload for planning professionals. These tasks include gathering site-specific information to ensure compliance with local policies and regulations. Even highly experienced professionals must constantly review and cross-check data sources, which is inefficient yet essential for accuracy.

The challenge is amplified by the need to manually review certain details, such as restrictive covenants or planning history, even in digitalised systems. Errors can result in costly mistakes, so getting it right first time is critical.

During this case study, PlanningHub processed 65 queries for domestic projects in a specific geographic area, aiming to reduce the time spent on information gathering and improve accuracy. The study explored whether automated reports could minimise administrative fatigue and free up time for higher-value planning activities like client consultations and actual planning.

Solutions

PlanningHub’s Planning Insight Reports significantly reduced the time professionals spent gathering site-specific information to under one minute per query. The reports present precise, ready-to-use sections, including Major Considerations and Planning Policy, which streamlined the creation of professional planning advice parts or planning reports.

The automated process ensures greater accuracy by analysing vast amounts of data without fatigue, incorporating relevant precedents, and adapting quickly to new applications and policy updates. For permitted development rights, the information was processed and presented in a format ready for direct use, eliminating the need for manual input.

This solution saves time and costs, increases accuracy, and reduces repetitive tasks, allowing planners to focus on consultations, reasoning, and creative planning. By reducing administrative burdens, PlanningHub aims to improve job satisfaction, boost team efficiency, and enhance decision-making. It demonstrates the potential for scaling up to complex projects like conversions, change of use, and new builds.

Results

PlanningHub achieved remarkable results in this case study:
· Time savings: Reduced information gathering time by 98%.
· Cost efficiency: Freed up resources for client engagement and strategic planning.
· Improved accuracy: Delivered 100% correct answers, with only minor refinements suggested.
· Enhanced satisfaction: Streamlined repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on meaningful work.
· Skill levelling: Enabled teams with diverse expertise to work more effectively.

Interactive precedent analysis was especially valuable, allowing planners to quickly adapt to changes in applications or policy updates. Outdated policies were linked to current ones, ensuring up-to-date compliance and reducing manual errors.

Participants praised PlanningHub as a game changer for the planning sector, highlighting its potential to revolutionise workflows. Suggestions for improvement included expanding the tool for complex projects and integrating restrictive covenants. Despite budget limitations in the pilot phase, the user saw immense value and eagerly anticipate future developments.

PlanningHub’s report streamlines our administrative work by consolidating planning information from various sources, eliminating the need to browse multiple data sources. It’s a game-changer, saving up to 2 hours of tedious administrative work on domestic projects. I can’t wait to see them expand it to other project types.

Laura Marshall
Founder of and Director at Triptych PD

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