DECEMBER - FEBRUARY8 IN MY OPINIONAlison BroderickPLANNING FOR THE FUTURE ­ TECHNOLOGY & TOWN PLANNINGCreating sustainable places for people to live, work and enjoy is the fundamental aim planning system. Digitisation and technology can be a powerful tool, not only in how planning decisions are made, but in helping with community engagement and aiding how places are planned for the future. In the Planning White Paper in 2020 (now unlikely to be carried forward as presented), the Government placed a strong emphasis on the need to digitise the planning process which was broadly welcomed. The lockdown during the Covid pandemic, accelerated flexible working and the use of technology to facilitate a virtual work environment. Restrictions on public gatherings also led to a rapid and significant shift to the use of online meeting tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and in planning, Committee hearings moved online with many now continuing in hybrid form. This points towards a democratisation of the planning process, with virtual consultations allow greater and more flexible engagement, reducing barriers to access. Digitisation can also assist with day-to-day planning as it is currently practiced. For example, most planning documents currently exist as digital versions of a paper document ­ a pdf saved online or in a file. They are rarely BY ALISON BRODERICK, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, SAVILLS PLANNING
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