A local authority milestone in the pre-trial phase

An encouraging milestone has been reached with three planning applications now submitted to Solihull Council through UK Planning Gateway. This marks the first time the platform has been used for multiple submissions within the same local authority area as part of the pre-trial phase.

Why householder applications are a useful test case

The applications cover typical householder projects such as extensions and alterations, the kind of developments most homeowners struggle to navigate through the current planning process. By handling these through the new system, the focus is on testing how well the platform supports local validation requirements, document formatting and submission accuracy.

Why Solihull is a meaningful validation test

Solihull Council has been an important testing ground because of its detailed validation standards and the volume of residential projects it handles each year. Early results show that the platform can guide applicants more effectively through what is often the most time-consuming part of the process: getting the application right the first time.

These three submissions help refine the platform’s data structure and workflow for wider use across councils in the West Midlands. They also highlight how close collaboration between professionals, councils and digital systems can make the process clearer and more predictable for applicants.

This is part of the same pre-trial testing already underway in Birmingham, where several dozen applications have been submitted. Each stage adds to a growing picture of how digital planning can work in real conditions before the full public rollout later this year.

The Solihull hat-trick shows that steady, practical progress matters more than scale at this stage. Every application teaches something new about how to make planning simpler for homeowners and professionals alike.