Planning Portal and Barbour ABI have formed a partnership in a bid to provide the construction industry with the “quickest” possible access to planning application data.
The partnership claims the new system can speed up the release of this information by an average of one month compared with the current process, where people must wait for local authorities to publish the information.
It is hoped the deal will benefit product manufacturers, main contractors, and specialist contractors.
‘More dynamic and responsive market’
Commenting on the partnership, Barbour ABI group director Simon Mahoney said: “Barbour ABI has the largest team of researchers in the UK looking at market intelligence.
“This partnership means they will receive planning applications from this exclusive planning data source at the point of submission.
“At that moment, our research engine will kick in – adding value to the project information and qualifying it well before the local authorities even publish it.
“We’ll be able to provide information about planning applications one month before anyone else, meaning companies can respond dynamically to valuable opportunities and increase profitability.”
The partnership says it supports the government’s goal of simplifying and digitalising the planning system to improve clarity, enable better-informed decisions, and meet local and national planning objectives.
Sarah Chilcott, managing director of Planning Portal, said: “This new exclusive partnership provides a digital solution that will help create a more dynamic and responsive construction market, supporting the local and national goals of the planning system.
“As the market’s leading construction intelligence, Barbour ABI was perfectly placed to help us get this information to market faster and maximise its impact.
“This will help construction companies provide the services the industry needs, when it needs them, improving the planning and construction process overall.”
National planning application service the Planning Portal is a joint venture between the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and TerraQuest Solutions Ltd.
It was operated by the government till 2015.
Barbour ABI delivers intelligence, insight, and analysis of the construction industry.
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