Wirral Council has been awarded £92,950 by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to develop innovative new technology to let local people have a greater say in shaping and regenerating their communities.
Wirral is one of 28 projects across England sharing £3.25 million to bring forward pioneering digital tools to make the planning system more open, engaging and accessible.
Wirral’s project was selected as part of the Government’s Proptech Engagement Fund which is working towards modernising the planning system using digital technology to help increase community participation in local decision making Wirral is developing the use of 3D interactive maps to help people see what is being proposed and be better equipped to become more involved in the planning process.
The council is currently working on significant regeneration across Wirral’s Left Bank (the eastern side from Bromborough through New Ferry, Birkenhead, Seacombe and Liscard to New Brighton) which will include major planning applications and the need for extensive public engagement.
Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee, Cllr Tony Jones, said, “The aim is to be at the forefront of modernising the planning system and using digital technology to help increase community participation in local decision-making.
“We want to see those currently underrepresented groups such as people in rented accommodation and those from minority groups or less well-off neighbourhoods becoming more involved in informing key decisions which affect their areas for years to come.”
The pilots, which will run until September 2022, will inform the government’s work to modernise the planning system and DLUHC is working closely with planning authorities across the country to establish best practice and identify where further digital guidance and innovations are needed.
Minister for Housing Rt Hon Stuart Andrew 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.”
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