Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Not Addressed
Existing data platforms remain siloed, hindering cross-organisational sharing of environmental data
Conclusion
Improved data sharing is a fundamental enabler of efficient and effective cross-organisational work to deliver sustainable housing. While there is evidence of cross-departmental working between DEFRA and MHCLG on planning, nature and housebuilding, the evidence we have taken suggests that existing data platforms are still siloed within organisations. This inhibits the sharing of geospatial and ecological data which could improve decision making relating to environmental and housing building targets. The sharing of environmental and land use data is a key enabler for improving cross-departmental collaboration, supporting decision-making, increasing overall efficiency and allowing government departments, local planning authorities, and arms-length bodies to collaborate on individual cases, within a single, unified case working system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 31)
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on general plan-making system reforms and the use of digital tools, but does not specifically address the committee's observation about siloed geospatial and ecological data platforms inhibiting cross-organisational data sharing.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
9. The Government is committed to delivering a clearer, faster, more accessible plan-making system to speed up the preparation of local plans and ensure that communities benefit from up-to-date plans across England. This is to ensure that all development is determined against up- to-date national and local planning policies. The Government published its response to the previous Government’s consultation on implementing plan- making in February 2025, which confirmed that the Government would bring forward reforms to: introduce a 30-month plan making process; streamline evidence; enable a greater use of digital tools; and set out clearer national policy – to help plan-making authorities prepare shorter, simpler plans more efficiently. The Government also confirmed that it would introduce gateway assessments for plan-making authorities, to provide clear milestones for plan preparation and enable early opportunities to identify and resolve any issues likely to delay progress with the plan. Regulations enabling plan- making authorities to prepare new-system plans are due to come into effect early this year. Draft guidance to support new-system plans has also been published and will continue to be updated in the coming months.