A cloud-based context aware information retrieval infrastructure for management of distributed local authority data

In recent years the issues surrounding sustainable development of our land and resources has become (amongst others) a huge area of economic as well as historic interest. The Scottish planning system is designed to control positive change within our towns and cities making sure that the land is developed to every-one's long term interest. The notion of local planning allows more local ownership and decision making about the specific issues within a smaller area; however it creates a barrier for the cross organizational sharing and exchange of data which could be used to more effectively coordinate decisions made during the planning approval/review process. Additionally, a long standing argument has questioned inconsistencies in decision making which can be attributed to natural errors in human judgement.