Local Authorities and Planning Compliance
Digitised validation, evidence management, and compliance tracking for every planning application, every decision, and every enforcement file.
Typical pain points we remove
| Challenge | Impact | How SmartAssessor Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete or inconsistent documentation | Delays, complaints, and refusals | Structured uploads validated against local checklists before acceptance |
| Unstructured document storage | Difficult tracking and audit failures | All evidence securely stored by application number, stage, and file type |
| Manual validation and case file building | High staff workload and inconsistency | Pre-built templates for application types; time-stamped uploads and automated organisation |
| Lack of audit trails for enforcement or appeal | Risk of legal challenge or reputational damage | Digital history maintained for every file with restricted access for legal teams and inspectors |
Built for every stage of the planning lifecycle
Pre-Application and Early Engagement
Support early uploads from applicants and agents with structured templates. Track document completeness and officer notes from the outset.
Application Validation and Assessment
Validate Design and Access Statements, location plans, ecological reports, and flood risk assessments against national and local requirements. Automatically flag missing documents before registration.
Planning Conditions and Post-Decision Monitoring
Store and review evidence for condition discharge including drainage schemes, materials samples, and construction management plans.
Section 106 and Legal Agreements
Maintain clear, timestamped documentation relating to planning obligations, community infrastructure payments, and monitoring updates.
Enforcement Investigations
Capture site visit photos, complaints, correspondence, and legal decisions within one secure, time-sequenced file to support robust enforcement and defend appeals.
Committee Presentation and Consultation
Allow case officers, consultees, and elected members to access filtered files for efficient, secure preparation and virtual review.
The planning process is under pressure
UK local planning authorities are operating in a climate of increasing scrutiny, limited resources, and rising application volumes. Architects, agents, and applicants must meet strict requirements, while planners must validate, assess, and justify decisions within defined timescales.
- Planning determinations must comply with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the National Planning Policy Framework, and Planning Practice Guidance.
- Local authorities must apply national and local validation checklists to assess planning application completeness before registration.
- Delays, complaints, and legal risks increase when submissions are incomplete or validation is not well documented.
- Virtual committees, hybrid working, and public consultation requirements demand consistent access to records from multiple stakeholders.
- Section 106 obligations, discharge of conditions, and enforcement actions all require structured evidence and audit trails for future inspection.
SmartAssessor helps local authorities manage the entire planning documentation lifecycle with a secure, intelligent digital platform that improves transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
Testimonials
Coastal District Council
Planning Manager
“Since implementing SmartAssessor, we have reduced invalid applications by over 40 percent and validation is now completed within three working days.”
Urban Borough Authority
Head of Planning
“Appeals and enforcement actions are now backed by complete, timestamped evidence files. It has raised the professional standard of our entire department.”
Ready to modernise your planning process?
From validation to post-approval monitoring, SmartAssessor enables planning authorities to manage every stage of compliance with confidence and consistency. Book a demonstration to see how we can support your planning team.
SmartAssessor: designed for planning compliance at every stage
SmartAssessor allows planning teams to collect, organise, and review evidence across all stages of the planning process. It provides structure, traceability, and instant access to records that support sound decision-making and reduce legal exposure.
- Applicants and agents submit structured documents including drawings, statements, assessments, and certificates
- Officers validate applications using custom checklists based on national and local requirements
- All documents are stored securely, mapped to application stages, and time-stamped for future audit or appeal
- External stakeholders, legal advisors, and elected members can access appropriate records remotely through secure links
- Post-decision documentation such as planning condition discharge, legal agreements, and enforcement actions can be added and tracked throughout the case history