Today, we're announcing our partnership with Idox to launch Ava (Application Validation Assistant), an AI-powered tool that transforms how local planning authorities validate planning applications.
This partnership brings together Planda's AI capabilities and planning intelligence with Idox's four decades of experience supporting UK councils. Together, we're helping local authorities streamline one of the most time-consuming stages of the planning process: validation.
Validation remains one of the most time-consuming stages of the planning process. Officers manually review each application against national and local requirements, checking documents and coordinating with applicants when information is missing. It's detailed, essential work - but it's also an area where the right technology can make a meaningful difference, freeing up time for the complex casework that requires professional judgment.
As the UK market leader in built environment software, Idox has long been at the forefront of digital transformation in planning. Their systems - Uniform and Idox Cloud - form the backbone of council workflows nationwide, making them a trusted partner to local authorities across the country.
Planda was founded on a clear principle: planning should be faster and supported by the best technology available. We began by developing advanced systems capable of reading and interpreting planning applications at scale, breaking them into thousands of data points to extract insights that were previously unobtainable.
Together, we saw the opportunity to deploy meaningful innovation directly into council workflows at the validation stage - where the backlog begins, and where the right technology can make an immediate, practical difference.
Earlier this year, Idox and Planda co-hosted a workshop in London with planning representatives from five local authorities. Through interactive sessions and open discussion, we gained direct insight into the daily challenges planners face - from increasing workloads to validation complexity. Their input shaped what became Ava.
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Ava analyses forms, documents, and supporting evidence against national and local validation requirements. It flags potential issues, helps manage communication back to applicants, and streamlines the process of replacing invalid documents.
The result: more efficient validation, fewer avoidable invalids, and more officer time available for casework and decision-making.
Here's what matters most: Ava doesn't make decisions. Officers remain firmly in control with full oversight of every check and communication. The improvement is a streamlined validation process that gives back time previously spent on manual document review and administrative follow-up.
Ava works directly within the Idox systems, so councils don't need to change their processes. Officers access Ava through a familiar interface, with all data and changes synchronised within their back-office system. It's an enhancement, not a replacement - designed to unlock time without disrupting core case management.
Ava will now be available to a number of early adopter councils with wider rollout to follow.
“This partnership is about combining strengths. Planda brings cutting-edge AI capability, and Idox brings decades of experience working alongside local authorities.
Together, Ava will help councils reduce invalid applications, save officer time, and improve outcomes for communities. And this is only the beginning.”
Scott Goodwin
Divisional Director (Land, Property & Public Protection), Idox.
“This marks the most significant technological breakthrough the planning sector has seen in years. Ava’s capabilities will reduce pressure on local authorities, freeing up time for more complex schemes that support the Government's housing targets. The Planda x Idox partnership will transform our sector as we know it.”
Brandon Johnson
CEO, Planda
Interested in Ava for your local authority?
Register your interest to receive updates on Ava's rollout and availability here or contact our team to discuss how AI-powered validation could work for your council here
