Where We Are

Planda Portal is constantly evolving, and we hope you got used to it! What started as a better way to submit planning applications is becoming something more complete: a platform that validates upfront, guides users through the process, and connects with councils.

The updates below reflect that shift. Since our last update mid-March, we've focused on improving core flows, strengthening validation, and building the foundations on the council side. Here's what's changed and what's coming next.

What We Said We'd Do (And Did)

In our last update, we shared what we were working on. Here's where those features landed:

Copy applications - Live in production. You can now duplicate existing applications and carry over relevant information as a starting point.

Simpler payment requests - Live in production. You can send payment links directly to clients via email.

Improved address search - Shipped, with further improvements coming in the location plan upgrade (see below).

More document formats - Shipped. We now support Word and Excel files alongside PDFs, with more formats coming.

Document validation - In progress. This is part of the new AI validator (see below).

Improved map experience - In progress. We're working on the location plan upgrade (see below).

Clearer validation status updates - Coming soon. See Application Status Tracking below.

Customer Support: Your Questions Are Getting More Complex!

We're seeing a shift in the types of questions coming through support. The questions are getting more specific, more thoughtful and full of product requests. People are engaging with the product deeply enough to think about what else is possible.

This tells us the product is working, and it shows us where the platform needs to grow next.

Anything you tell your account managers also gets back to the product team, and we love to hear it, so please keep it coming.

Council Dashboard

Planning applications don't end when they're submitted (they begin there). So we're building for both sides of the process.

We've built a working prototype of a council dashboard. It lets councils track all Planda Portal applications in one place. We've demoed it to several councils already and the feedback has been positive!

This dashboard creates the ability for councils to personalise AI checks to their requirements, and we’re very excited to roll it out!

We're making UI improvements now. We expect to have a production-ready version in the next few weeks, then we'll begin onboarding councils.

Validator and New UI: Making AI Clear

Introducing AI into a new domain requires care. You need to bring users along gradually. That's why we're shipping incrementally. It lets users adapt naturally, and it lets us respond as things evolve.

We've rebuilt the validator UI and improved the underlying model based on user feedback. The new version is live internally. We've created a beta cohort to test it, and rollout begins this week.

Edit Application Form Post-Submission

Users can now edit their application form after submission. This is live in production.

It gives users more control when councils come back with requests or clarifications. We were already handling this on the backend, and now users can do it themselves.

What's Coming Next

Email payment nudges. We'll send automatic reminders to your clients to pay for planning applications. You won't need to follow up manually.

Application status tracking. We're building clearer post-submission tracking that covers when an application has been received, when it has been validated, and where it sits in the council review process. This information will be available in the portal whenever you need it.

Location plan upgrade. We're implementing an improved location plan selector. It will improve both accuracy and usability. We're also exploring the use of existing property boundary data to reduce the amount of manual drawing required. Expected next week.

The Bigger Picture

Each of these updates ties into the same shift. Planda Portal is becoming a fully connected planning system. Thank you for being part of our story!

We're moving from a tool that helps you submit applications to a platform that validates them upfront, supports you through the process, and connects directly with councils.

Get Involved

If you're a council, agent, or frequent user and want early access to new features, let us know. We're building this with you.