Online Show & Tell: Smarter Planning: Data, Processes, and Insights, 4 December 2025

This Show & Tell began with an introduction from the MHCLG Data Standards 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 their recently launched new products to better utilise data and engage users to navigate through the planning system to reveal insights and deliver better planning outcomes.

Agenda:

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

MHCLG data standards programme & open data standards community, Mike Rose, Project Lead for Planning Permission Data Standards and Drew Hardy, Senior Product Manager for the Digital Planning Programme, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

MHCLG Digital Planning are developing a set of open, consistent and reusable data specifications to help standardise the information in the planning permission process. To support this activity MHCLG has set up an open data standards community, this community is open to anyone interested in the data within the planning system and the development of planning data specifications.

Government Experience Agent (GXA), Asim Ali & Mark Ramus, Granicus

Granicus’ Government Experience Agent (GXA) is purpose-built to support UK public sector organisations in delivering smarter, more responsive digital services. This AI-powered assistant is newly launched and provides instant, accurate, and policy-aligned answers to resident queries, reducing call volumes and freeing staff for complex tasks.

Atlas – a new digital planning register, Thomas McAlpine, Tytl (renamed from Addland) and Jago Williams, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Atlas, a new digital planning register developed by Tytl (renamed from Addland) in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and backed by MHCLG, is transforming public engagement with planning. Designed with residents and professionals, the platform delivers a faster, map-based way to find, review, and comment on applications.

Ava (Application Validation Assistant), Brandon Johnson, Planda

Planda and Idox have partnered to launch Ava (Application Validation Assistant), an AI-powered tool that transforms how local planning authorities validate planning applications. Integrated directly into Idox’s Uniform and Idox Cloud systems, Ava analyses documents against national and local validation requirements, helping councils streamline validation and reduce backlogs. Officers maintain full oversight of every check and communication.

Back Office Planning System (BOPS), Martyn Evans, Unboxed

The new www.bops.org.uk showcases how councils are collaborating to build the Back Office Planning System (BOPS), a platform transforming the way planning applications are processed. Developed through the MHCLG Local Digital Fund with support from Unboxed, BOPS is already being used by multiple authorities, cutting admin time and improving transparency.

Concluding Remarks and Future Activities, Dr Wei Yang

Various links provided by MHCLG Data Standards Team: