New technology designed to make planning applications easier to access is to be trialled at Warwick District Council.

WDC is one of 10 local areas to share a £1.1m fund to test proposed reforms.

Changes were proposed in an August 2020 White Paper Bill on planning.

The trial will see planning applications placed on an interactive, annotated online map, moving away from long text documents.

The map should also enable planners to understand what land has already been designated for, as well as what policies are relevant in a given area.

The new system is hoped to increase engagement and speed up the planning process. Warwick District Council is currently advising that applications are running three months behind schedule.

The areas involved are:

1. Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council
2. Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council
3. Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council
4. Dacorum Borough Council
5. Broxbourne Borough Council
6. Birmingham City Council
7. East Suffolk Council
8. London Borough Hounslow
9. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
10. Ashford Borough Council

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher MP has said that the plans will bring planning into the digital age.

He said: "This announcement will ensure the planning process will be brought into the digital age. Communities will be reconnected to a planning process that is supposed to serve them, with residents more engaged over what happens in their areas.

"While the current system excludes residents, who do not have the time to contribute to the lengthy and complex planning process, local democracy and accountability will now be enhanced by technology and transparency."