Digital Planning and Data Standardisation in the New Plan-Making System
- DAC Planning Team
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Introduction
The introduction of the new plan-making system through the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 [1], aims to make Local Plans quicker, more streamlined and more consistent across England. Under the new system, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) must prepare a single Local Plan and should adopt it within 30 months.
The Government’s guidance on 30-month local plan process[2] covers the stages of getting ready, preparing the plan, examination, adoption and monitoring. The guidance also encourages LPAs to take a ‘digital-first’ approach by prioritising digital formats. Furthermore, the Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026[3] came into effect on 7 May 2026, which introduced statutory requirements for LPAs to publish certain types of plan-making data.
But what does a ‘digital-first’ approach mean in practice, and what are the implications of the data standard regulations on plan-making in the new system?
This briefing note aims to support plan-making teams and LPAs working in the new plan-making system. It has been prepared with the aim of achieving the following:
Summarise the legal requirements for publishing plan data and the new statutory data standards.
Provide an overview of current guidance relating to digital plan-making and data standardisation
Outline concisely what these changes mean for LPAs as they work to tight timescales in the new system.
Finally, this note touches upon the growing ‘digital plan-making’ market, noting the emergence of tools and products which may be used to improve plan-making efficiencies, the presentation and standardisation of data.
Legal requirements for publishing plan data
The Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026 were published alongside an Explanatory Memorandum[4] which provides further context and an explanation of the statutory instrument.
In summary, LPAs are required to:
a) Prepare and maintain an up to date Local Plan timetable:
The local plan timetable data must be made available before or on the same day as the notice of intention to commence local plan or before or on the same day as the notice of intention to commence supplementary plan preparation, is published (whichever is earlier). The guidance on “creating a plan timetable” [5] sets out the detailed information on the process.
b) Prepare and publish housing requirement data in a consistent format:
LPAs are required to publish this data at key stages of Local Plan preparation, including pre-submission consultation, submission for examination, main modifications consultation, and adoption.
c) Follow the approved planning data standard:
LPAs are required to use the approved data standard for local plan timetables, minerals and waste plan timetables and also local plan housing requirement as set out in the guidance on “publish your plan data” [6] and government tabular data standard [7].
d) Publish Plan data:
To meet the requirements, LPAs must publish both a plan dataset and a plan timetable dataset. Relevant templates [8] are available to download as CSV files with pre-populated rows. LPAs can also choose to use the check and provide service [9] to help prepare, check and provide data. A five step data publication guide can be found in Publish your plan data [10] guidance.
Current Guidance Relating to Digital Plan-Making
The Government’s “new local plan-making system roadmap” [11] highlights that further tools, guidance and data standards are expected over time, including a Model Local Plan. In the meantime, the Create or update a local plan (CULP) [12] collection brings together guidance and resources for LPAs on preparing a local plan under the new plan-making system.
CULP includes guidance relating to data standards, mapping and the use of digital tools and templates, which are outlined further, below.
Gathering baselining information to inform a local plan [13]: The guidance provides draft information on how LPAs can collect, map and analyse baselining data, to inform local plans under the new system. It sets out recommendations for LPAs on what data, analysis and mapping will be most useful to inform the evidence base for the plan along with recommended sources for the dataset.
Baselining guidance [14] highlights the role of mapping in plan preparation and advises that, once data has been gathered, LPAs should begin mapping their area and, where possible, use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to do so. It recommends that LPAs map a range of spatial information relevant to the plan area using the approach that works best for the authority.
The CULP Engagement guidance [15] also confirms that following the publication of the Gateway 2 observations and advice, LPAs must carry out consultation on the proposed Local Plan and make available a map of proposed Local Plan policies alongside the proposed Local Plan and supporting evidence. The guidance encourages LPAs to consider using digital engagement approaches like interactive visualisations, 3D models, digital storytelling and animations to support consultation while maintaining non-digital options. It also provides case studies [16] of digital engagement approaches used by LPAs through the MHCLG Digital Planning Programme [17]. The Digital Citizen Engagement toolkit [18] further highlights examples of digital tools and technologies being explored to support engagement, consultation and plan-making activities.
Conclusion- What do these changes mean for LPAs?
The new plan-making system places greater emphasis on standardised information, approved data standards and digital-first working practices. While some elements of the new system are still emerging, it is clear that LPAs will need to ensure that plan-making data is prepared and published in line with the relevant regulations and approved data standards.
In practice, the standard data publication requirements do not appear to be overly complex. However, they will require early preparation and quality checks to ensure that datasets remain accurate and consistent. Therefore it is a statutory process which must be given consideration, and integrated into workstreams.
In terms of the wider move towards digital-first plan-making, we believe it presents obvious opportunities for LPAs such as:
making plan-making data accessible in a standardised format
creating datasets that can be updated more efficiently
improving mapping, visualisation and analysis of spatial data
standardising data collection and presentation of technical studies
supporting more efficient and effective consultation and engagement processes
Recent examples show councils, government bodies and technology companies exploring digital approaches to support plan-making, development management and public engagement. This includes the use of digital Local Plan platforms [19], GIS and mapping systems, 3D digital twins [20], interactive consultation tools and AI-assisted analysis[21] [22] to support evidence gathering, site assessment, consultation and wider planning workflows.
However, these opportunities can only be realised by investing time and resource in developing skills, capabilities and procurement structures which align with the digital-first approach to plan-making. This is particularly important for LPAs with limited GIS, data management or digital engagement capacity. LPAs will also need to manage risks around data quality, accessibility, digital exclusion and reliance on systems that may not yet be fully embedded across the sector.
Toolkits, guidance and the MHCLG Digital Planning Programme are available to support authorities looking to take a digital-first approach. A practical first step would be for LPAs to review their existing plan-making data, GIS layers and consultation tools and identify any gaps in skills or capacity. This would support a smoother transition towards more integrated and standardised plan-making processes.
How we can help
DAC Planning has extensive experience and understanding of plan making, and provides dedicated support to local authorities nationally.
For a discussion on how we can assist you, please get in touch with the team:
admin@dacplanning.com / 01206 688103
This information is for general informative purposes only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, DAC Planning accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from its use.
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