Accessibility statement for Planning Data Platform
This accessibility statement applies to the Planning Data Platform website: https://www.planning.data.gov.uk.
This website is run by the Planning Data team in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
We are always working to improve our website and want as many people as possible to be able to access and use it. For example, that means you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings
- zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible. This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 AA standard.
Users may experience difficulties with:
- some page structures and heading hierarchies
- some form labels and instructions
- some dynamic content updates that are not announced to assistive technologies
- some aspects of the interactive map
- map content that relies on colour to communicate information
- text and interface elements that do not meet minimum contrast requirements
- content that does not reflow correctly at high magnification
- map content that does not currently have an accessible alternative for screen reader users.
Feedback and contact information
If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, email: digitalland@communities.gov.uk
If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 business days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website.
If you find any problems that are not listed on this page, or think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, email digitalland@communities.gov.uk.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
Technical information about this website's accessibility
The Planning Data team is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
The website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Information, structure and relationships (WCAG 1.3.1)
Some pages contain headings, tables, filters and other content relationships that are not correctly communicated to assistive technologies. This can make pages harder to understand and navigate using a screen reader. The interactive map also does not currently provide a fully accessible alternative to the information it displays.
Focus order (WCAG 2.4.3)
Some content is presented in an order that does not match the visual layout of the page, which can make navigation confusing for screen reader users.
Link purpose (WCAG 2.4.4)
Some links are not sufficiently descriptive and their purpose may not be clear when accessed using assistive technologies.
Labels and instructions (WCAG 3.3.2)
Some form controls do not have visible or sufficiently descriptive labels, making them difficult to use with screen readers and voice recognition software.
Label in name (WCAG 2.5.3)
Some visible labels do not match their accessible names, which can affect users of voice recognition software.
Name, role and value (WCAG 4.1.2)
Some user interface components do not correctly expose accessibility information to assistive technologies.
Use of colour (WCAG 1.4.1)
Parts of the interactive map rely on colour alone to communicate information. Users who cannot distinguish colours may have difficulty understanding map content.
Contrast (minimum) (WCAG 1.4.3)
Some text does not meet the minimum colour contrast requirements required by WCAG 2.2 AA.
Non-text contrast (WCAG 1.4.11)
Some graphical elements, focus indicators and map features do not have sufficient contrast against adjacent colours.
Status messages (WCAG 4.1.3)
Some changes to content are not announced to assistive technologies. This can make it difficult for screen reader users to understand when content has been updated.
Reflow (WCAG 1.4.10)
Some content within the map interface does not display correctly at 400% zoom and may overlap or become difficult to use.
Disproportionate burden
We have not made any disproportionate burden claims.
Content that's not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
There is currently no content identified as being outside the scope of the accessibility regulations.
What we're doing to improve accessibility
An independent accessibility audit of the Planning Data service was carried out by the Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC) in June 2026. The audit identified a number of WCAG 2.2 Level A and Level AA issues.
We have created a programme of work to address the issues identified and are prioritising:
- WCAG Level A issues
- WCAG Level AA issues
- improvements to map accessibility
- usability improvements identified during accessibility testing.
We will review and update this statement as accessibility improvements are delivered.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 8 September 2020.
It was last reviewed on 16 July 2026.
This website was last tested on 17 June 2026 against WCAG 2.2 AA. The audit report was issued on 1 July 2026.
The test was carried out by the Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC).
The audit included:
- technical accessibility testing
- screen reader testing
- voice recognition testing
- keyboard-only testing
- screen magnification and reflow testing
- testing by users with a range of disabilities and assistive technologies.