FAQs
Listing in the Directory
What is the Digital Planning Directory?
The Digital Planning Directory is a one-stop shop for state-of-the-art digital planning solutions. Seed-funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), it is delivered and managed by the Digital Task Force for Planning, an innovation-led not-for-profit organisation.
The Directory includes digital planning service providers through its Digital Planning Service Provider Listing (“Service Provider Listing”) and a separate Digital Planning Education and Training Listing (“Education and Training Listing”).
The Service Provider Listing includes providers offering innovative digital services to support and enhance planning, development, management and engagement processes. As a comprehensive, user-friendly online resource for digital planning tools, services, and platforms, it is designed to meet the diverse needs of public and private sector stakeholders. It contains essential information about providers, including their areas of expertise, services, case studies, and contact details. The Directory also offers search and filtering functions to help users easily identify tools and expertise that meet specific needs and objectives.
The Education and Training Listing brings together universities and training providers offering courses with dedicated digital planning content. This includes programmes focused on specialised digital planning, as well as integrated planning programmes that incorporate substantial digital components.
What is the purpose of the Digital Planning Directory?
The purpose of the Directory is to build the foundation for a scalable digital planning ecosystem that transforms mainstream planning practice.
By providing a trusted and comprehensive platform for digital service providers, as well as education and training organisations, it improves the sector’s visibility, strengthens connectivity, and reduces barriers to adoption. Through structured information, extensive cross-sector engagement, and practical resources, the Directory promotes best practice in digital planning innovation and empowers the sector to accelerate its growth for the public good.
What benefits can service providers get from listing in the Directory’s Service Provider Listing?
Listing in the Directory provides numerous benefits, including:
Increased Visibility: Gain exposure to potential clients and investors and enhance your company’s credibility.
Showcase Services: Highlight your services and case studies to a targeted audience through your company profile.
Enhanced Credibility: Build trust with potential clients and investors by being recognised as a validated digital service provider.
Support for Innovation: Contribute to and benefit from the Task Force’s mission to promote digital innovation and integration in planning.
Enhanced Impact: Amplify the sector’s voice in key consultations and strengthen overall impact by effectively communicating initiatives and successes.
Sector Promotion: Benefit from events and initiatives that promote the digital planning sector. All registered companies in the Directory will be informed about events organised by the Digital Task Force for Planning and its partners.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with key stakeholders, other digital planning companies, and potential partners and investors.
By listing in the Directory, you contribute to the growth and development of the entire digital planning sector while reaping these significant benefits.
What benefits can providers get from listing in the Directory’s Education and Training Listing?
Listing in the Digital Planning Directory’s Education and Training Listing offers several key benefits:
Increased visibility and recognition:
Showcase your programmes on a trusted, publicly accessible platform and position your institution as a leader in digital planning education.
Attract students and professionals: Reach a wider audience of learners looking for high-quality, innovative, and forward-thinking digital planning courses.
Improved discoverability: Be part of a mapped overview of digital planning education and training, making it easier for potential learners to find relevant opportunities.
Opportunities for collaboration: Connect with other institutions and stakeholders to develop shared or modular training, particularly for mid-career professionals and local planning authorities.
Support for curriculum development: Encourage and strengthen the integration of digital content within planning education and training, helping your organisation stay aligned with evolving industry needs.
Who uses the Directory?
The Directory has attracted more than 45,000 users in its first year, helping to bring together a previously fragmented sector, foster stronger collaboration between local authorities, industry, and academia, and support the development of practical procurement and knowledge-sharing tools for the planning sector.
Will it ever be mandatory to join the Digital Planning Directory?
Joining the Digital Planning Directory is voluntary. However, we warmly welcome digital service providers and education and training providers to join the Directory to help create a “one-stop shop” for state-of-the-art digital planning solutions.
Who can be listed in the Directory’s Service Provider Listing?
To be listed in the Directory, digital planning service providers must have a valid legal status and possess relevant digital expertise in the service areas covered by the Directory.
Legal Status
The following are eligible for listing in the Directory:
- A legal entity (such as a private limited company or LLP) legally registered with Companies House in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland.
- Or a legal entity registered in another country and operating in the UK with at least one UK office and a minimum of three completed or ongoing digital planning projects in the UK.
Note:
- Companies (or other legal entities) without a UK base and with fewer than three UK projects are not eligible to be listed in the Directory at this stage.
- References in the Directory and these FAQs to “companies” includes the other kinds of legal entities which are eligible through their legal status as specified above.
Relevance and Expertise:
Providers eligible for listing in the Directory must demonstrate that their innovative digital solutions fall within at least one of the following service areas:
- Community Engagement: Facilitating public participation, community consultation, stakeholder engagement (including gamifications), and statutory consultation reporting.
- Visualisation,3D Modelling, and Animations: Creating digital visual representations, including 2D illustrations, 3D models, and animations of urban environments and development proposals.
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping: Collecting, presenting, managing, and analysing data spatially.
- Environmental and Sustainability Services: Evaluating, managing, monitoring, and optimising environmental and sustainability metrics, including scenario design and simulation.
- Planning and Urban Design Services: Description: Innovative digital solutions for town and country planning and urban design, integrating planning, design, and analytical components to optimise living environments and create efficiencies in placemaking processes.
- Land Search and Assessment: Description: Identifying, evaluating, and analysing land for development opportunities, including viability assessments and options analyses.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Software Solutions: AI and software development services tailored for urban planning and management.
- Plan-making, Planning Application and Data Management Systems: Managing plan-making and planning application processes and data, including data standardisation, development management solutions, workflow management and regulatory compliance.
- Organisational Digital Transformation: Transforming organisational processes through digital solutions, including strategy and implementation.
- Digital Twins: Creating and managing digital replicas of physical assets and environments, enhancing real-time monitoring and simulation.
A maximum of five of the most relevant categories service areas can be selected by each company.
Who can be listed in the Directory’s Education and Training Listing?
The Directory adopts an inclusive approach, recognising the breadth of spatial planning and related fields. Cross-disciplinary courses from non-planning disciplines (e.g., computer science, environmental sciences) are welcome to apply if they include digital content directly applicable to spatial planning.
Relevant disciplines include (but are not limited to):
- Planning (town, country, and spatial planning)
- Urban Analytics
- Smart City Technologies
- Urban Studies
- Geography
- Transport Planning
- Architecture and Urban Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Environmental Studies
- Housing Studies
- Real Estate and Land Surveying
- Computer Science
- Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and drone technologies
- Civil Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Environmental Psychology & Neuroscience
- Ecology
- Public Health
- Behavioural Science
- Geological Engineering
To find out more and apply, please visit here.
How do I get my organisation listed as a service provider in the Directory?
Qualified providers can submit their business information by registering an account and undergoing the validation process for listings in the Digital Planning Directory. The validation process is carried out by the Digital Task Force for Planning and involves the following three steps:
Step 1 – Initial Review: Our team conducts an initial review to ensure that the business meets the listing criteria. After a business registers an account, they will be asked to submit a short summary (max 200 words) to introduce their services, along with supporting information, which will not be shown publicly.
Required Information:
- Company registered name
- Company registration number
- Company registered address
- Year of registration
- Company website
(or the equivalent for other registered legal entities such as LLPs.)
Once complete, please click ‘Send for review’. These registration details will be sent to the Task Force for verification through official sources, such as Companies House for UK companies and other entities, and government databases for companies in other countries. If deemed necessary, the Task Force will require supplementary legal certificates from the company to verify the information. These documents may include a certificate of incorporation, proof of address, and other relevant business and project information.
Step 2 – Full Account Setup: Approved providers can enter the company subscription payment details and then access the full provider public profile and case study setup pages.
Step 2.1 – Company subscription: Approved providers are required to provide card payment details at this stage.
The card will be charged immediately upon subscription, with subsequent charges occurring annually on the same date.
Step 2.2 – Provider public profile input: Providers can then access the full provider public profile to add detailed company information.
Information can be saved as a draft by clicking ‘Save changes’ during the input stage and will not be visible to the Task Force. Once the entire public profile is completed, please click ‘Send for review’ at the top of the public profile section to submit it to the Task Force for formal review. During the review process, a status icon will display ‘In Review’ to indicate the progress. Once the review is approved, it will show as ‘Complete’.
If you wish to revise your public profile information, you will need to submit the revised details for review again, which will trigger the ‘In Review’ process once more. Please ensure you submit for review only when you are satisfied with all the information to avoid unnecessary delays for both you and the Task Force administration.
Step 2.3 – Provider case study input (optional): Provider case study input: Providers have access to a case study template that includes key project information for each case study.
To ensure fairness, each company can display up to three case studies on its public profile by selecting the checkbox next to the case study name. However, you can create as many case studies as you like in your company dashboard and select different ones to display based on your needs.
Each case study follows a similar ‘Send for review’ process as the company public profile information.
Step 3 – Full Content and Compliance Check:
- Content Check: Once the provider’s public profile and case studies are submitted for review, the Task Force will assess their relevance and appropriateness.
- Compliance Check: The Task Force ensures that the listing complies with the Directory’s Terms and Conditions.
- Technical Validation: All provided links (websites, etc.) are checked by the Task Force to ensure they are functional and lead to the correct destinations.
Once all checks are completed satisfactorily, the listing is approved and will be published in the Directory. Once all checks are completed satisfactorily, the listing is approved and published in the Directory. The listing status will be shown as ‘Profile is live’ at the top of the Provider Dashboard.
Our Validation Process helps maintain the quality of the Directory. If you have any further questions about the validation process, please feel free to Contact Us.
Can I register my company on the directory multiple times for different products?
No. The Digital Planning Directory is set up to receive one registration per company. You can reflect your various products under one company name.
Is there a cost associated with being listed in the in the Directory’s Service Provider Listing?
Yes, listing in the Directory requires an annual subscription fee. The Digital Task Force for Planning is a not-for-profit organisation, and the fees will be used to run the Directory and enhance its functions and activities, engaging Digital Planning service providers with the wider sector.
A standard annual fee of £850 + VAT will be charged immediately upon subscription for all newly listed companies, with subsequent charges applied annually on the registration date.
To foster innovation, the Directory will always provide new UK digital planning startups with complimentary entry for their first year of operation if they are registered with the Directory within 365 days of their incorporation date. An annual charge will be applied on the first anniversary of their registration with the Directory.
Annual rates will be subject to increase in line with inflation each year, and the Task Force may adjust fees beyond the inflation rate as needed. A reminder for annual renewal will be sent one month in advance to ensure that companies are aware of any changes in fees. You can choose not to renew your listing or withdraw your subscription at any time but fees already paid cannot be refunded.
Can I withdraw our subscription?
Yes, you can withdraw your subscription at any time. After that, your annual automatic fee subscription will be cancelled. You can choose to continue displaying your public profile until the last day of your subscription’s valid period or stop displaying it immediately. The fees already paid cannot be refunded.
What if our annual renewal didn’t go through?
If your annual renewal payment doesn’t go through due to an expired card or other reasons, you will be notified immediately. You will have a grace period of 30 calendar days to resolve the payment issue. If the payment is not received within this period, your public profile may be temporarily suspended until the renewal fee is successfully processed. If you haven’t contacted us after a full calendar year, we reserve the right to permanently remove your registration details from our server.
Where can I obtain VAT invoices for the subscription?
VAT invoices for your subscription can be obtained through your company dashboard on the Directory’s website. Once logged in, navigate to the billing section, where you can view and download your VAT invoices for all transactions.
Can one service provider be listed in multiple categories?
Yes, each company can select up to five of the most relevant service area categories. Please ensure that only the most appropriate categories are chosen to avoid delays in approval.
What information is included in my company public profile?
Your company’s public profile will include essential information such as the company name, logo, services offered, company description, location, and website link, as well as contact information. Additionally, it may include optional information such as products, industry recognition, videos or images, pricing information, case studies and testimonials.
Permission should be obtained from the relevant parties, whether they are organisations or individuals, before being included in case studies or testimonials.
Based on the Task Force’s comprehensive User Experience (UX) research, tips will be provided on how to write introductions and case studies to effectively communicate with Directory users.
What information is included in our case studies and how are they displayed?
The case studies template includes key information of the project, an overview of the project, the challenges faced, the solutions provided, and the results achieved. You may include any relevant metrics or client testimonials. This information helps illustrate your expertise and the impact of your work.
From 2026, fully subscribed organisations can display an unlimited number of case studies on their public profile. These can be created in the company dashboard and, once approved by the Task Force, you can select which ones to display based on your preference.
Case studies should not include personal data unless approval is obtained from the relevant parties.
There is a dedicated case study page in the Directory that collects all case studies. The Task Force will regularly promote a cluster of themed case studies through our social media channels to highlight best practices in the sector.
Does our submission need to include all information (video, case studies, etc.) in our profiles, or can it be submitted at a later date?
You are only required to submit the mandatory information listed in the Directory for your listing. Optional information, such as videos, case studies, and testimonials, does not need to be included in your initial submission but can be added at a later date if desired. Please note that any updates will require reapproval.
How often can we update our entry?
Once your company is fully registered (i.e., has completed all three validation steps), you can update your entry as often as needed. We encourage you to keep your information current, especially if there are changes to your services, contact details, or case studies.
Company profiles and case studies can be updated directly through your company account. Once you are satisfied with your updates and have saved all changes, please click ‘Send for review’. The information will then be submitted for review by the Task Force. Upon approval, your public profile on the Directory will be automatically updated.
Is there a cost associated with being listed in the in the Directory’s Education and Training Listing?
No, there is currently no cost associated with being listed in the Education and Training Listing.
As a not-for-profit initiative delivered by the Digital Task Force for Planning, the Directory offers free listings for education and training providers to support the growth and development of digital planning skills across the sector.
How to apply to be listed on the Education and Training Listing?
The listing remains open for entries from eligible programmes. You can read the eligibility criteria and submission details here.
Application Form Links
- For established courses, please submit via Education Listing – Established Course Submission
- For upcoming courses, please submit via Education Listing – Upcoming Course Submission
- For training programmes, please submit via Training Listing Submission
Can I share that my organisation is listed in the Digital Planning Directory?
Absolutely! We encourage you to share the news about your listing through your own channels and social media. It’s a great way to highlight your organisation’s presence in the Directory!
How should I promote my listing?
Feel free to use your website, newsletters, and social media to share your listing. We’ll also provide marketing assets and guidance to help you spread the word effectively.
Does being listed in the Digital Planning Directory mean my organisation is formally endorsed by MHCLG or the Digital Task Force for Planning?
No, a listing in the Directory does not constitute formal endorsement of your organisation, services, products, or programmes by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) or the Digital Task Force for Planning.
Can I use MHCLG or Digital Task Force for Planning logos to promote my listing?
No, our logos must not be used without prior written agreement. Unauthorised use may lead to the removal of your listing from the Directory.
Are there any guidelines I need to follow when promoting my listing?
Yes, please make sure your wording and visuals don’t suggest that your organisation is formally endorsed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) or the Digital Task Force for Planning. Additionally, MHCLG and Task Force logos cannot be used without prior written permission.
What if we lose our password?
If you lose your password, you can reset it by clicking the Forgot Password link on the login page. Follow the instructions provided in the email you receive to create a new password.
What if we change our contact person details, such as email?
If your contact person details change, please notify us as soon as possible. You can update this information through your account settings or by Contacting Us for assistance.
What if we change our organisation name?
If your organisation name changes, please inform us immediately so we can update your listing accordingly. You can submit the new name through your account settings or Contact Us.
What if we join or are bought by another organisation?
If your organisation is acquired or merges with another organisation, please Contact Us. We can assist you in updating your listing to reflect the new organisational structure and ensure continuity in your Directory presence.
How can I contact the Directory for further inquiries not covered in the FAQs?
For additional questions or support, companies can contact the Directory’s support team through the Contact Us page.
Interested in listing your services?
- Enhanced visibility & credibility
- Support for innovation and digital advancement
- Networking with stakeholders and partners