{"id":29655,"date":"2021-04-10T16:06:09","date_gmt":"2021-04-10T15:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=29655"},"modified":"2021-04-09T18:08:09","modified_gmt":"2021-04-09T17:08:09","slug":"commonplace-funded-to-reimagine-planning-notices-in-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=29655","title":{"rendered":"Commonplace funded to \u2018reimagine planning notices\u2019 in England"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Commonplace has been selected by Innovate UK and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to help \u2018reimagine\u2019 planning notices for the 21st?century.<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

\u2026 local planning authorities are required to notify the public\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

\u2026 digital technology will mean the ability to connect residents\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

Commonplace writes:<\/p>\n

Over 400,000 planning applications are submitted in England each year, ranging from small householder applications for minor changes to residential property, to major regeneration projects delivering thousands of new homes and commercial spaces.<\/p>\n

At present, local planning authorities are required to notify the public either through a site notice, notifying?neighbours?or a newspaper advertisement. ?New forms of digital technology could enhance this process, connecting residents and?neighbours?to important information on decisions impacting their areas.<\/p>\n

Given the growing expectations for transparent digital-first communication from communities, reexamining the practice of site notifications and long and complex documents published on planning portals could offer huge benefits to increasing awareness and engagement in major decision making.<\/p>\n

Digital connectivity and\u00a0web based\u00a0services have rapidly developed in the last decade alone. According to the\u00a0Office for National Statistics and?Ofcom<\/a>, 84% of people in the UK own a smartphone, rising to 95% for people under 55. Banking, shopping, media consumption and even tax returns are now commonly done online.<\/p>\n

Commonplace has increased its own work on new ideas to improve the planning system. We recently launched the report\u00a0\u201cEngaging for the Future<\/em>\u201d<\/a>, setting out a case for continuous, transparent engagement throughout the planning process. Bringing data from over 2.5m contributions via Commonplace, together with public opinion polling and focus groups, the report found that:<\/p>\n