From the 3rd of September, Planning Portal will now integrate new data, intelligence, AI and smarter workflows into more of the application journey, helping professionals save time on applications, gain better insight into their projects, identify potential constraints earlier and reduce repetitive administration.

Through multiple interviews with architects, we’ve heard the same challenges come up again and again: managing cost, adapting to changing client briefs, and meeting sustainability targets, all while planning itself continues to reform. Whilst we can’t solve all of your project demands, we’ve focused on the technology around it, building a series of updates aimed at saving you time.

These capabilities form part of SmartApply, the next evolution of the Planning Portal application journey and our biggest investment yet in helping professionals prepare and manage applications more efficiently.

Click here to access the Planning Portal Blog.

Based on your feedback SmartApply provides architects and professional applicants with:

Better information earlier 
Relevant planning constraints can now surface as an application is being prepared, helping identify key considerations earlier in the process. For extensions and home improvements, Planning Portal’s wider guidance and tools, including Ask Navi and Interactive House, can also support early conversations with clients.

Less time on administration 
Improvements across document handling, CIL certificates and project descriptions make applications easier and more efficient to complete including bulk uploads, improved file naming, clearer error handling and a live checklist to help keep applications on track.

A connected route into Building Control 
Where required, relevant planning information can be reused to create a Building Control application, reducing duplication and helping you progress client projects more efficiently – with Building Control included as part of the Planning Portal price.

Explore a property’s planning potential
Householder Insights gives you and your clients a quick, property-specific view of what may be possible, using relevant planning history and activity nearby. It’s free to use, with three reports each month, helping inform early conversations.

And the capability will continue to develop. Coming in October, enhanced completeness and readiness checks will help identify missing information and common errors while applicants still have the opportunity to address them.

The goal is simple: resolve more issues before submission, rather than after it.

Stay informed on planning trends
Our recent insights: Housebuilding plans continue to surge, but delivery has yet to keep pace, according to our latest Planning Application Index. Click here to find out more.

Thought leadership
To hear from Planning Portal experts on the latest in planning policy, technology, data, viability and platform developments – sign up to our newsletter here and stay up to date.