How we built interactive maps for planning consultations

Planning proposals are inherently spatial. Where a development sits, which roads it affects, how it relates to existing homes and green spaces — these are things that are difficult to communicate through text alone. That is why interactive maps have become one of ConsultOnline's most valued features.

But building a mapping tool for public consultation is different from building one for, say, a delivery tracking app. The audience is wider, the stakes are higher and the information being communicated is often complex. Here is how we approached it.

Why maps matter in planning consultation

Static plans and printed material can make spatial proposals harder to interpret for some readers. Interactive maps provide an additional way to relate comments to locations, but they do not replace accessible descriptions, alternative formats or human explanation.