Designed by planners, for planners
BOPS is a back-office planning system that has been co-designed and tested with planners. Unlike other existing back-office systems which can be slow, difficult to use, and involve too many manual admin tasks, BOPS provides a seamless and intuitive user experience that simply shows planners the right information they need at the right time. This reduces noise for planners and means they have more time to focus on what they want to do – planning.
One simple system that can meet all a planner’s needs
Planners can use BOPS to validate and assess an application, print a site notice, carry out consultations and send letters to neighbours. The BOPS applicant module also provides an interface for applicants to interact with councils about their application in real-time, providing any further information directly into the system.
“BOPS allows us to provide our planning teams with software that is accessible and transparent. This leads to a reduction in time spent on administrative and manual processes.”
Juliet Seymour, Head of Policy, Building Control & the Historic Environment, Southwark Council
Improving planning services
BOPS has been designed so it can be adapted for future needs, including changing monitoring requirements and changes to planning services. BOPS makes planning data easily accessible and reporting functions are built-in, so that planners can spend less time searching for and requesting information.
A scalable system undergoing rapid development and user testing
BOPS can currently be used to fully process Lawful Development Certificates and Prior Approvals. The full Householder application process is on track to be delivered by December 2023. All other application types are due to be completed by May 2024.
BOPS can currently accept applications from PlanX, and will be able to receive applications from the Planning Portal in the near future.
BOPS working group
BOPS is designed and developed collaboratively by Unboxed consultants and partner councils. Development is funded by DLUHC’s Digital Planning Programme.
“This is such a fantastic opportunity to design a bespoke product that actually meets the needs of the users – a system for Planning, designed by Planners.”
Ruth Saunders, Director of Communities, Gloucester City Council