Delivering 30-Month Local Plans: Digital Innovation, Connectivity and Practical Tools
This session explores how digital tools and data, including the DfT’s Connectivity Tool, can help local authorities deliver local plans within the 30-month timetable by strengthening evidence and accelerating decision-making.
Digital Planning Directory Online Show and Tell: Delivering 30-Month Local Plans: Digital Innovation, Connectivity and Practical Tools
28 May 2026, 1-2pm
The introduction of a 30-month requirement for local plan preparation represents a significant shift for the planning system, placing greater emphasis on efficiency, evidence and delivery.
This session will explore how digital tools and data can support local authorities and practitioners to meet this challenge in practice. It will include an introduction from the Department for Transport to its Connectivity Tool, highlighting how it can be applied within the local plan process to strengthen evidence and inform decision-making.
Four companies from the Digital Planning Directory will present a range of digital solutions that can help streamline plan-making, improve collaboration and engagement, and accelerate delivery. The session is intended as a practical “show and tell”, offering insights into tools that can be deployed now to support the new timetable.
Agenda:
Dr Wei Yang OBE, CEO Digital Task Force for Planning: Welcome and introduction
Christopher Mountain, Local Plans, and Bridget Wilkins, Head of Plan Making, Digital Markets & Growth, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG): Update on 30-month local plan process
Greg Haigh, Head of AI and Data Science, Department for Transport (DfT): Introduction to the Connectivity Tool and Local Transport Plan
David Cooper, Director, Blue Fox Technology Ltd: Scoping the Connectivity Tool for Digital Local Plans
Annette Jezierska, CEO, The Future Fox: Compressing Local Plan consultation timelines with AI — and navigating Examination
Daniel Mohamed, CEO, Urban Intelligence: Land availability and site assessment in local plan preparation
Simon Mabey, CEO, Digital Urban: Humanised Digital Twins: creating a more engaging planning process
Dr Wei Yang: Wrap-up
Do not miss this opportunity to understand how digital tools can help you meet the 30-month local plan timetable more efficiently, from evidence gathering through to adoption.
