The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has allocated over £3.25 million to 28 projects for the development of digital tools in the planning process.
The money has been allocated under the Proptech Engagement Fund and will support a series of pilots on the use of technology to support public engagement.
DLUHC highlighted three projects in its announcement, one led by Watford Borough Council to develop a digital platform to help residents have their say on how to spend contributions from developers towards infrastructure in their community.
The second, led by Walsall Council, will use funding to encourage underrepresented community voices to have their say on the regeneration of Bloxwich and Walsall Town Centre, which are supported by the Towns Fund.
Thirdly, Plymouth Council, South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council will produce a set of interactive maps for residents to identify what infrastructure is needed in their local areas.
The pilots will run until September and feed into the work on modernising the planning system.
Pride in places
Minister for Housing Stuart Andrew MP said: “We need a modernised planning system which fully embraces digital technology to create places in which people take real pride.
“By bringing the planning system up to date with the latest methods, we are ensuring that communities can have more of a say on the development of their town, city or neighbourhood.”
The PropTech Engagement Fund was initially launched in August 2021. In October 2021, DLUHC announced 13 areas that received a share of £1.1 million in the first round of funding.
Details on the councils to receive support from the fund can be found at the bottom of the announcement. DLUHC said the full details of the projects are not available online.
