Case Study Highlights Digital Consultation Success In The Cotswolds

Cotswold District Council has been featured in a new government case study showcasing how digital tools can improve community engagement in local plan consultations.

Published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the case study explores a pilot project that tested a new digital consultation hub as part of a partial update to the council’s local plan, focused on carbon reduction.

The online hub brought consultation materials together in one place, combining plain-language summaries, interactive maps, documents and short videos. The approach aimed to make complex planning information easier to understand, increase participation (particularly among under-represented groups) and reduce the time officers spent processing responses.

According to the case study, the pilot delivered clear results. Participation increased significantly compared with previous consultations, with the majority of responses submitted online, officer processing time reduced, and improved insight into who was engaging with the process. The council also adapted the platform during the consultation in response to feedback, helping make it easier for different audiences, including town and parish councils, to take part.

The project was delivered as part of the PropTech Innovation Fund and is described as a time-limited pilot. However, the council plans to continue using modern digital consultation platforms in future stages of its local plan and explore how similar approaches could support engagement across other service areas.

A short video created by the council helps bring the consultation approach to life:

The full government case study is available here