The Geospatial Commission has announced three pilot projects on using data in making decisions on the use of land.
It said they are aimed at producing a blueprint for the priorities in improving land use data, evidence on how to overcome the various challenges and laying the ground for a UK-wide platform for land use data – for which the commission has published a procurement notice for support in developing.
This follows a commitment in the organisation’s annual plan to use pilots to improve relevant data.
The commission – which sits within the Cabinet Office to lead the Government’s work on geospatial data – said it is now working with pilot area partners in Devon, the West Midlands and Northern Ireland with an investment of £4.56 million.
It said a significant element will involve deciding on whether land should be used for purposes such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building affordable and sustainable homes, flood protection, habitat creation or infrastructure investment.
The programme is scheduled for evaluation by the end of 2022-23.
Cabinet Office Minister Lord True said: “To make the right choices about how we use our land, we need to ensure that the relevant data are available.
“The National Land Data Programme pilots will provide insights into the current data access challenges to help improve data that supports effective decision making and contributes towards critical government priorities, including working towards net zero and housing development.”
UKAuthority has contacted the commission for more detail on the pilots. It has indicated that it expects the work on the land data platform to be completed by March 2023.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
Detail on procurement notice on land data platform added on 1.9.21
