Portal planning – v5.7 – RELEASE NOTES
Summary:
This version of the portal planning development includes changes to the Planning AI Validator which currently is only in use with UK Councils, but is also available for the Ireland Planning platform, should this be of interest. These release notes also feature the latest development for the Ireland Planning Citizen Portal regarding the submission and tracking of Compliance cases.
Planning AI Validator – latest developments.
Validator – Exception keyword rule
The AI Validator is now able to allow exceptions to rules depending on an applications proposal.
In the Configuration Portal (Configure Service >> Planning >> Validator >> Rules >> "AI Validator Rules Configuration") the user can now find a new item in each rule skeleton, which is a multi-selector. When a keyword/phrase is chosen within this multi-selector, even if all other rule requirements are met, the rule will not be triggered if the scope of the work in the proposal includes what the chosen keyword/phrase describes.
For example, for a Householder (Application type 1) application, existing elevations may be set to required for all circumstances except when the scope of the work includes a new building.
This is how the rule would appear in this specific example: 
it is important to note that this functionality is only available to clients using the new "merge configuration". To enable the "merge configuration", you must contact the Product Owner.
Validator - Review and send on demand emails
AI Validator has functionality to send automatic emails once the tool has analysed the application and applied the rules.
There is now the option to hold the email in the tool, allowing the emails to be edited and sent by an officer within the Validator.
To enable this functionality, go to the Configuration Portal, select 'configure service' >> Planning >> Validator >> Reporting >> Email Configuration, and enable the checkbox called 'Send email manually in Validator Portal'.
Once this configuration is enabled, all new applications will have a button within the application details, which will lead to a modal where the email can be edited, saved, and sent.
The modal view will be loaded with a default subject and body with the output analysis done by the Validator.
Below the title of the modal, there are two buttons to set the template as valid or invalid with their merge fields filled in. These buttons will automatically modify the subject and the body. Both the subject and the body of the email can be modified.
In the second highlighted section, fill in the relevant email accounts, separated by commas. At the bottom of the modal, there are three buttons:
- Save: to save all progress, so any edits are kept and the email can be reviewed and sent later.
- Send: to send the modified email (at least one email address must be in the first text field called 'Send Email to').
- Cancel: to exit the modal
Ireland Planning Citizen Portal – Latest developments
Planning Compliances – Submit application
The latest version of the Ireland Planning Citizen Portal now includes the ability for Applicants/Agents to search for a previously submitted planning application, and submit a compliance for a condition on the original application.
The new submit application facility will display a wizard with the new following steps:
- Type
- Parent application
- Conditions
- Details
- Documents
- Summary
Planning Compliances – Submit application – Type
This will provide a drop down list which currently will only list one option ‘Compliance’. This has been done should a requirement for additional application types be needed in the future.
It is important to ensure that the relevant application type has been configured within the Planning system, which must have the short code of ‘COMPL’ configured as seen below:
The Planning Citizen Portal Application Type selection field can be seen below:
Planning Compliances – Submit application – Parent application selection
The next step in the process enables the Applicant/Agent to enter part of the required original or ‘parent’ application reference, with the system then displaying matching references for selection.
When the required application reference is selected, the following details of the application will be presented:
The link “View full details” will display the full planning application details screen in a new browser tab.
Planning Compliances – Submit application – Condition selection
Once the original application details have been viewed, and the user progresses to the next screen, a list of the conditions not yet complied (Condition Compliance Date is NULL) with will be listed, allowing the user to select one condition.
The user will then be able to select the required condition.
Planning Compliances – Submit application – Details
After selecting the required condition, the user will be presented with a screen where they can describe how the condition in question has been complied with as seen below:
Planning Compliances – Submit application – Documents
The next step in the process enables the user to upload any supporting documentation.
Planning Compliances – Submit application – Summary
Once the documents have been uploaded the user will progress to view a summary of the details to be submitted as seen below:
Planning Compliances – My applications
The system will generate a temporary reference number which the Applicant/Agent can use to track their compliance submission which will then be available within the Planning Citizen Portal ‘My applications’ facility as seen below:
Planning Compliances – Application details
A new section has been added to the existing online application details within the Citizen Portal titled ‘Related applications’. This will give users viewing the application details the full picture regarding a planning application, whereby if the original or ‘parent’ application is viewed, the subsequent Compliance cases will be listed within the ‘Related Applications’ section as seen in the example below:
Planning Compliances – Delete draft applications
Agents/Applicants will also be able to delete a compliance case using the dustbin icon highlighted below, provided the case is still in draft form, and has not been submitted to the Council.
