I shared a conference platform last week with Joanna Averley, chief planner at the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities. Our not so snappily titled topic was ‘collaborating with communities to create places that work for everyone. 

Apparently less than 1% of the population engage with the process of creating Local Plans at present, and on reflection I’m surprised it’s as high as that. But, following on from one of the key findings of the ‘Living with Beauty’ report of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities is pursuing digital engagement as a means of improving the relationship between people and the planning process. A worthy goal!