Procurement Resource Hub Launches to Support Innovation in Digital Planning

The Digital Planning Directory has reached another important milestone with the launch of the Procurement Resource Hub, at the Local Government Association (LGA) on 21 October 2025.

Designed to support both local planning authorities and digital service providers, the new Hub has been developed in collaboration with PUBLIC. It brings together key government guidance on procurement relevant to digital planning, providing a single, practical resource to help organisations identify effective approaches, streamline processes, and procure innovative planning tools and services with confidence.

👉 Explore the Hub: Procurement Resource Hub

The Hub’s launch coincided with the workshop Driving Innovation Through Smarter Procurement, which convened representatives from central government, local planning authorities, and digital service providers listed on the Directory.

The session focused on how smarter, innovation-led procurement can unlock new opportunities in digital planning, improving efficiency, user experience, and collaboration across the planning system.

Speakers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), PUBLIC, Connected Places Catapult, and Innovate UK shared expert insights on bridging the gap between public sector buyers and digital suppliers. Discussions centred on how clear guidance, flexible frameworks, and shared learning can accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge planning technologies.

Interactive roundtable sessions engaged participants to explore shared challenges, develop practical solutions, and define next steps for both the Procurement Resource Hub and the upcoming Business Case Templates.

These complementary resources aim to promote smarter, more consistent procurement approaches across the sector, enabling authorities to better evaluate digital tools, support innovation, and deliver planning services that meet community needs.

The Hub marks another important step by the Digital Planning Directory in helping local government and industry partners advance innovation, consistency, and efficiency across the digital planning landscape.