DLR faced two significant pressures:
At the same time, the council wanted to modernise its technical infrastructure, optimise workflows and improve public-facing services without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Working in close partnership with Agile Applications (now part of IEG Group), DLR implemented an enhanced planning solution designed to increase workflow adoption and process efficiencies
The programme focused on three core areas:
A new GIS solution integrated with Esri was introduced to provide deeper spatial insight into planning applications
This enabled planners to undertake more detailed spatial analysis, supporting better-informed decision-making
DLR launched intuitive and accessible portals that allow residents to search, comment on and pay for planning submissions online
The new portals created a seamless digital journey for applicants, with informative and easy-to-navigate processes
The introduction of online pre-application submissions and improved search functionality also increased the percentage of relevant and accurate applications received
All planning documentation was migrated into the council’s corporate Microsoft document storage environment through SharePoint 365 integration
This significantly improved document management and supported remote and hybrid working models.
A cross-functional working group, including representatives from planning, enforcement, administration, infrastructure and GIS, worked closely with Agile throughout the transformation
Weekly Microsoft Teams sessions supported agile delivery, requirements documentation and testing, enabling a responsive and adaptive approach
"Working closely with our IT team and Agile has enabled us to digitally innovate the planning service."Gary McConville
As a result of the transformation, DLR achieved:
The partnership continues, with further enhancements planned including Power BI reporting, enhanced workflow and integration with the Irish Planning Portal.
