Using data to strengthen UK planning narratives
Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of hosting a joint webinar with Yeme Tech, where we explored their AI-powered community insights platform – an innovative tool designed to help developers and planners across the UK strengthen planning applications through robust data- driven insights and a deeper understanding of local needs.
The platform brings together extensive datasets to deliver powerful, place-based insights, drawing on a wide range of key metrics to help users truly understand the character and challenges of an area. This enables them to better assess and anticipate the impacts of their developments, address potential areas of concern, and ultimately plan for thriving, sustainable communities in the UK.
Turning data into dialogue for smarter planning applications
As our Head of Business Development, Scott Alford, summed it up:
“The platform provides that key opportunity to turn data into dialogue – and dialogue into better planning results.”
Part of effective planning is demonstrating how a proposal meets community need. Yeme Tech’s technology is built around that principle.
They offer tailored reports for specific projects, drawing on the data of the project’s specific area. These allowing developers to use impactful evidence to support applications; to demonstrate why their developments are necessary according to local need.
This technology emerges at a critical juncture for the planning sector. As public consultation becomes an area of increasing contention and communities express growing feelings of alienation, development projects are often stalled by competing priorities. Yeme Tech’s approach seeks to transform this challenge - fostering informed dialogue, shared understanding, and ultimately, positive progress.
As Yeme Tech’s Ashley Dunseath noted during the session:
“Consultation responses reflect evidence, not data – councils can be looking at the same place through a different lens.”
The four pillars of insight
Yeme Tech’s platform aggregates thousands of third-party datasets into a single, consistent framework – from population demographics to clubs and activities available in the area - generating evidence-based community profiles at the site, district, city, or regional level.
The data is all presented in a user-friendly interface, where customers can toggle between areas and metrics, exploring and understanding the key factors affecting an area.
The four core pillars of insight include:
- Population and demographics
Data on local populations, such as age, ethnic groups, religions, employment and qualifications.
- Assets
Buildings that contribute to a ‘good place to live’; for example, local businesses, such as shops, restaurants, cafes.
- Community life
Local stakeholders, such as charities and impact organisations.
- Activities
Activities for local people, from exercise classes to art classes, with information on costs associated.
The platform generates benchmark scores on these against national averages - to highlight areas of strength, need, and vulnerability. This evidence base helps users to:
- Strengthen planning narratives and support applications
- Identify which metrics are thriving or under pressure before submission
- Anticipate and address potential areas of concern
- Build credibility and trust with local stakeholders
In short, Yeme Tech helps turn data into stories – providing the context and confidence that underpin better planning outcomes. Visit their website to find out more.
