Live planning updates
Current planning applications are pulled into one searchable updates feed across the active council coverage.
Why it exists
Planning information is public, but rarely public-friendly.
Most official portals are slow to navigate and full of technical documents. City Scope keeps the public source record intact, then adds clearer summaries, categories, map context and repeatable search.
What it does
A calmer front door for local planning.
The product is built around the actual planning record: references, addresses, documents, decisions, summaries and geography.
Plain English summaries
Application documents are translated into short, readable summaries that keep the important planning context intact.
Signals and scale
Categories, scale ratings and recurring signals help people understand what kind of change a filing may represent.
Document previews
Planning drawings, forms and supporting documents remain close to the application record, not hidden behind portal friction.
Spatial context
Map views connect applications back to streets, neighbourhoods and local development patterns.
Under the hood
Built as a data product, not a brochure.
The public interface sits on top of a backend pipeline that collects records, prepares documents and exposes reusable planning data to the site.
Data pipeline
A backend ingestion system collects applications, normalises references and keeps public updates current.
AI processing layer
Document extraction, categorisation and summary generation sit behind Planning Updates to reduce manual planning noise.
Reporting engine
The same structured records power weekly reports, analytics views and future planning alert workflows.
Press mentions
Coverage from local media.
City Scope has been covered as a practical tool for making planning applications easier to access and understand.
Deadline NewsEdinburgh local creates handy tool to view planning applications across cityCoverage of City Scope as a user-friendly tool that makes Edinburgh planning applications easier to inspect.Edinburgh MinuteA user-friendly way to find out about planning applications anywhere in EdinburghFeatured as a practical way for residents to understand what is being proposed in their neighbourhoods.
Built independently
A solo civic technology project from Edinburgh.
City Scope is built by Harry Williams, a property professional and urban data enthusiast based in Edinburgh. The backend automation, AI integration, interface and map workflows have been designed and maintained independently.
"City Scope is my attempt to make local planning easier to access and understand."
What is next
More coverage, better reports, clearer local context.
The next stage is about making repeated planning checks faster and expanding the product without losing the updates-first clarity.
Planning reports
More exportable and repeatable reporting for residents, civic groups and professionals tracking local change.
Street-level context
Better ways to connect planning applications to the real streets and buildings people recognise.
Explore the platform
Start with live updates.
The main product surfaces are Planning Updates, the map and analytics views.