At Lapworth Architects, we’ve recently started submitting applications through UK Planning Gateway, a new digital platform designed to simplify and validate planning submissions. It’s been developed by our own team at Submit a Plan Ltd, the same group that’s been supporting architects and councils with online planning tools for more than a decade.
We used UK Planning Gateway to submit several recent householder and full planning applications, including projects in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell, and the process was noticeably faster. The guided forms and automated validation checks helped ensure that each submission met council requirements before we pressed send: no missing documents, no invalidations, no surprises.
For our architects, the biggest advantage is being able to manage multiple projects from one dashboard, complete with Ordnance Survey mapping, address data, and document upload all in one place. It also helps us keep our clients informed at every stage with transparent, trackable progress.
The planning system is becoming increasingly digital and using AI to speed up traditional processes, and tools like UK Planning Gateway are helping practices like ours stay efficient while maintaining the professional oversight that every submission deserves. We’re continuing to use the platform for upcoming applications and to provide feedback as it develops through the Geovation Accelerator, supported by Ordnance Survey and HM Land Registry.
As more councils adopt digital planning systems, tools like UK Planning Gateway are setting new standards for clarity and compliance. We’re pleased to be part of that transition and to help shape how planning applications are prepared and submitted in the UK. Our team continues to explore how AI-assisted validation can support both local authorities and professionals in achieving faster, more accurate outcomes. We’ve already seen how much time it saves our team when managing complex or multi-plot projects.
To learn more or try it for your own submissions, visit www.ukplanninggateway.co.uk.
