GLA DIGITISATION EFFECTS ON FUTURE PLANNING APPLICATIONS

All planning applications in London are now required to provide additional information, in addition to the standard questions already found within planning application forms. This includes information such as title numbers, broad indications of construction costs and potential delivery timeframes, as well as other technical information.

This is part of a GLA project to replace the former London Development Database (LDD) with a new “Planning London Datahub.”

The Planning London Datahub is a new, interactive website and database that will hold detailed information on planning applications, permissions, commencements and completions in Greater London which will be made available for Local Planning Authorities and the public to view. It seeks to directly capture data from planning applications as they are submitted, rather than relying on manual returns from local boroughs, in the hope of significantly improving the quality of information available to local authorities, developers and the public about planning and development in London.

What does this new database mean for applicants?

There will be a requirement for additional information to be provided by an applicant/project team at the point a planning application is formally submitted to the local planning authority.

In some instances, the number of additional and detailed questions is significant and will require consideration throughout the lead-in time to a submission. Delays in receiving the new additional information could slow down the submission of planning applications.

Where required, Gerald Eve can assist in providing information on the additional questions so the information can be collated by relevant project consultants prior to the submission of a planning application.

This additional information is being captured by new, London-specific, pages within the online standardised planning application form submitted with every application.

The additional questions being proposed vary depending on the type of planning application being submitted. A list of the new questions, categorised by planning application type, has been provided for reference purposes by the GLA via the link provided at the end of the note.

What will this additional data be used for and how can it be accessed?

The principal purpose for the GLA collecting this information is so that it can monitor the impact of the London Plan, and borough plans, on the city. The data will also allow the GLA to plan for other purposes including future demographics, infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and effectiveness of policies in the respective boroughs.

In addition to data being collected through planning application submissions, data will also be collected from local planning authorities to assist with providing a comprehensive dataset.

The Planning London Datahub is not currently accessible. London Boroughs have had access to the Datahub to analyse the data since 30 November 2020. It is understood that the public will have access following this once the GLA have confirmed the systems are working correctly.

Once live, the Datahub will be accessible in several ways which will include a Live Monitoring Report which will the GLA publishing a live dashboard showing key facts about planning applications across London, and APIs which will allow the data to be integrated into other systems for analysis.

Summary

As of 16 November 2020, more information has to be supplied when submitting planning applications in London. This is to assist in the development of a new Planning London Datahub. Careful consideration will be need to given to avoid any delays in the submission of future planning applications.

Should you have any further queries in relation to the process mentioned, please do not hesitate to speak to anyone in Gerald Eve’s London Planning team.

Link to GLA Summary Note on New Planning Application Form Questions