Welcome to Episode 33 of our Podcast series
In this episode, Nick Brown sits down with veteran planner Charles Robinson to talk about how technology could finally make the planning process less painful.
With over four decades in planning and consultancy, Charles has seen every side of the system, from working with national developers to supporting local authorities. In this conversation, he reflects on why so many applications are still delayed or rejected, and how digital tools can help both planners and architects work more efficiently.
Charles introduces UK Planning Gateway, a new platform built by planners and architects together. Using AI, it guides users through the forms, flags missing information before submission, and helps produce valid applications on the first try. Early trials have already shown a 60% drop in invalid submissions and faster validation times for councils.
The discussion also touches on the wider challenges of modernising planning, from under-resourced departments to the government’s push for a fully digital system. For Charles, the solution isn’t just policy reform but smarter, user-centred technology.
It’s an insightful conversation about how experience, innovation and feedback can combine to make planning work better for everyone.”
