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

Traditional consultation methods — exhibition boards, printed newsletters, static PDFs — struggle to convey spatial information effectively. A resident looking at a site plan on a piece of paper has to mentally map it onto the area they know. That cognitive burden means many people never fully understand what is being proposed, which limits the quality of the feedback they can give.