England
Open Systems Lab Ltd
OSL is a non-profit R&D company focused on improving systems that shape places, from construction and procurement to planning and property. We collaborate with organisations from every sector to design and deploy open source tools and infrastructure to help meet the big social, economic and environmental challenges of our time.
Company:
- Founded: 2014
- alkiviadis@opensystemslab.io
Service areas:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and software solutions
- Plan-making, planning application and data management systems
- Organisational digital transformation
Procurement:
- Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) Spark
- G-Cloud 14
Introduction
Open Systems Lab (OSL) is a UK-based non-profit organisation. We design, build, and maintain open-source digital tools that make public services simpler, faster, and fairer. Our mission is to help governments and communities solve complex planning and housing challenges through user-centred design and open technology.
PlanX, developed by OSL, is a cloud-based digital planning platform used by local authorities across the UK. It helps residents and professionals understand planning rules, submit applications, and receive instant feedback — all through an intuitive, map-based interface.
What We Offer
• User-Centred Solutions: Designed around real user needs, reducing confusion and improving decision-making for residents, planners, and developers.
• Open-Source Technology: Built openly to encourage collaboration, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
• Customisable Platform: PlanX can be tailored to local policies and workflows, offering the benefits of both a ready-to-use product and bespoke configuration.
• Proven Impact: Councils using PlanX report faster processing times, clearer guidance for applicants, and reduced administrative burden.
PlanX is available for procurement through G-Cloud.
PlanX, developed by OSL, is a cloud-based digital planning platform used by local authorities across the UK. It helps residents and professionals understand planning rules, submit applications, and receive instant feedback — all through an intuitive, map-based interface.
What We Offer
• User-Centred Solutions: Designed around real user needs, reducing confusion and improving decision-making for residents, planners, and developers.
• Open-Source Technology: Built openly to encourage collaboration, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
• Customisable Platform: PlanX can be tailored to local policies and workflows, offering the benefits of both a ready-to-use product and bespoke configuration.
• Proven Impact: Councils using PlanX report faster processing times, clearer guidance for applicants, and reduced administrative burden.
PlanX is available for procurement through G-Cloud.
Case studies
Testimonials
In just six months, our pre-application service alone has generated enough income to cover the entire cost of PlanX for a year!
Jenna Rumley
Innovation Manager - Doncaster Council
This is a tool that can be used by officers, you don't need to be a coder. It's everything we want. We can take charges, we can communicate it using GOV.UK Pay and GOV.UK Notify. That's such a powerful tool with no coding required.
Dave Chamberlain
Technical Delivery Manager - Barnet
I worked in planning for 20 years and in permitted development for householders for 12 years. I like to check everything that we're doing through PlanX. The number of times that I've actually shown somebody why they need planning permission, and something just clicks when they see it through PlanX.
Stacy Pring
Validation Manager - Medway
Find out more about pricing
Use our Benefits case calculator on our website to get a breakdown of costs, savings and potential revenue Plan✕ can generate for your council (www.planx.uk)
Useful links
Plan✕ Resources
This Notion workspace is your central hub for everything related to Plan✕ — from understanding the service and its impact to onboarding, pricing, and ongoing development. It brings together key guides, templates, and resources to help councils make the most of Plan✕ and stay aligned as the platform evolves.
Visit external link
Find Local Planning Services
You can now access a variety of digital planning services to notify, report, and submit a planning application directly to your local planning authority, along with guidance to help you navigate the planning process built by your local planning team in collaboration with planning professionals.
Visit external link