The government’s planning reform proposals for England are aimed at delivering a “significantly simpler, faster and more predictable system” through reforms to the ‘local plan’ system and introducing digital technology to the planning process.

The new system proposes both ‘front loading’ local plans with community engagement and making greater use of digital tools. While digital tools could improve the scope of engagement, what do they look like in practice? Are these technologies really the future or are they already here?

An online tool recently gave the good people of Leeds the chance to rethink their communities following lockdown. Social enterprise Create Streets launched a pilot project in Leeds where people were able to suggest improvements and different approaches in their communities by entering ideas on an interactive map. Ideas generated so far in Leeds include:

• Making Victoria Road in Pudsey one-way for vehicle traffic during school pick up and drop off times, or close it completely
• Need for speed bumps to tackle speeding drivers on Hough Top
• A plethora of pedestrian, cycle and road improvements to tackle dangerous roads in Kirkstall
• Remove speeding and anti-social cars from Armley Town Street. Suggestions include a bus and cycle gate to keep access for more environmentally friendly transport.

Lots of data was collected via https://communities.createstreets.com/leedslockdown, but what came next? What happens with this information?

Will ‘digital’ help to create a more accessible, collaborative and democratic planning system? During this session we will hear from Create Streets and Leeds Civic Trust as to how this tool and the data collected is showing a modern method of meaningful participation in practice.