VIDEO | Creating a planning system fit for the future
Adopting new and emerging technologies is key to making the country’s much-maligned planning system more accessible, according to panellists at a future-gazing roundtable discussion hosted by Lexington.
Participants
- Paul Boyfield, group head of property at Lexington
- Rhiannon Thompson, director and head of built environment at Lexington
- Rebecca Caines, senior director at Lichfields
- Charlotte Leach, associate director of stakeholder engagement at Peel L&P
- Jeremy Hinds, director at Savills
- Samantha Campbell, head of planning at Liverpool City Council
- Rob Haslam, regional head of planning at Harworth
- Chaired by Dan Whelan, senior reporter Place North West
Key talking points
Public consultation is an increasingly important part of the planning process. However, at present, not enough people are engaging.
Those who exercise their right to have a say on development proposals in their area are generally against them, according to the panellists. This can result in an unbalanced perception of a scheme.
By holding digital consultations and keeping channels of communication open, developers can reach a wider audience, have more meaningful conversations, and, as a result, have a better chance of garnering support for their proposals.
In addition, making productive use of data, artificial intelligence, and 3D modelling could all contribute towards a more streamlined and swifter planning system, according to the panel.
However, for the digitisation of the planning to be truly effective, processes must be standardised across the country to help make things easier and more efficient for users of the system, the panel said.
You can hear highlights from the roundtable in the video at the top of this article, as well as on the Place North West YouTube channel. Learn more about Lexington at www.lexcomm.co.uk.
