Digital Planning Directory Online Show and Tell: Utilising Data for Better Planning Outcomes, 18th September 2025

This webinar, Utilising Data for Better Planning Outcomes, launched the Digital Planning Directory’s Online Show and Tell webinar series on 18 September 2025.

Highlighting how data-driven insights are transforming planning, the session opened with updates from the Digital Planning Directory and an introduction by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) Planning Data Team, setting the stage for an insightful and interactive event.

The rest of the Show and Tell Webinar brought together four companies from the Digital Planning Directory, showcasing real-world projects that demonstrate how public datasets are being used to:

The webinar is designed to inspire new thinking and provide practical takeaways on leveraging digital solutions and open data to achieve smarter, more inclusive planning.

Agenda:

Welcome and Introduction, Dr Wei Yang OBE, CEO, Digital Task Force for Planning

Introduction, Alphie Murphy-O’Reilly, Collaboration & Engagement Lead, MHCLG

MHCLG Planning Data platform, Paul Downey, Planning Data Service Owner, MHCLG

The presentation introduces the work of the MHCLG Planning Data platform, showing how engagement with open processes helps identify users and their data needs, how it collaborates with planning authorities to make data accessible, and how the service supports PropTech companies and others developing digital solutions to transform the way people interact with the planning system.

Leveraging Public Data for Strategic Planning, Simon Mattinson, Prior + Partners

This presentation provides an overview of the ‘Planning Positively for the Future’ report, sharing the firm’s experience in utilising public datasets for strategic planning. It also introduces Place Insights, a platform offering data-driven insights to guide decision-making.

Leveraging Public Data to Understand Community Needs, Dorrian O’Neill, Commonplace

Exploring how AI and wider public data, from social media to representative surveys, can supplement consultations and reveal a more inclusive picture of community priorities in placemaking.

Case Study: An Automated Public-facing Call for Sites Platform for East Herts District Council, Demelza Potter, Cadcorp

A case study from East Herts District Council, sharing insights gained through their automated, public-facing Call for Sites platform. This tool has enabled evidence-based decision-making and created significant time savings for the planning team.

Case Study: Intuitive Consultation and Interactive Mapping, Tom Dean, JDi Solutions

A case study showcasing the Opus System, an integrated solution that combines OpusConsult—which provides digital tools to streamline every stage of public engagement for Local Development Plans—with OpusMap, which delivers interactive policy maps, site plotting, and automated constraint querying.

Concluding Remarks and Future Activities, Dr Wei Yang