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Development Management Software Pathfinder EOI

Please note that this Expression of Interest closed on 26 November 2021 and the eight successful projects have been announced. You can follow their progress on our Medium account, or email [email protected] to receive invitations to the monthly project Show and Tell.

In November 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, and Housing Communities (DLUHC) launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to find councils who want to improve their existing development management software, so that it supports the vision set out in the Planning for the Future White Paper.

Through the DM Software Pathfinder EOI, councils who wish to work with their current development management software provider could apply for up to £150,000 of funding each.

A separate EOI was launched to fund councils who wish to join the RIPA/BOPS project to design and implement new development management software products.

Learn more

About the Development Management Software Pathfinder EOI

Successful councils will work with their existing development management software providers over a 12 week period to address challenges in one of three thematic areas:

  1. Making better use of planning application data.
    For example, by moving from image (PDF/JPG etc) based location plans to using GeoJson
  2. Improving publication of planning data
    For example, by automating or improving the production of reports (e.g PS1 and PS2), or integrations with data publication platforms
  3. Increase sharing of reusable components or practices
    For example, many councils develop bespoke components, integrations, workflows and reports in their software packages which could be shared with other LPAs using the same product.

These councils will lead ‘Pathfinder projects’, which will gather insights that can be used by Local Planning Authorities, DLUHC and planning-related software providers to support the improvement of development management software across the market.

Please note that projects are expected to kick off in mid-January 2022 and run over 12 weeks, concluding in early April.

Timeline

9 November 2021

Expressions of Interest open

15 November 2021

Virtual Q&A session. Missed it? Read the questions and responses.

26 November 2021

Expressions of Interest close at 5:00pm

w/c 10 January 2022

Minister announces successful projects

Mid-January 2022

Projects kick off – watch a recording of the launch event

Early April 2022

Projects conclude: wrap up event