We sat down with Emma Martin, Product Marketing Manager at Street Group, to discuss how the partnership between Street Group's Spectre and IBex is transforming how estate agents access and utilise planning intelligence.

Street Group is a leading provider of estate agency software in the UK, with their Spectre Property Reports product serving thousands of agents across the country. In October 2024, they partnered with IBex, part of Serac Group, to enhance their planning data capabilities and deliver comprehensive, accurate planning information directly within agent workflows, a move that would prove strategic as regulatory requirements evolved.

Recent government proposals requiring estate agents to provide planning consents upfront as mandatory material information have highlighted the critical importance of reliable planning data. Street Group agents, however, were already ahead of the curve. The partnership's proactive approach to planning data has positioned them well ahead of regulatory requirements.

‍Why planning data matters for estate agents

For estate agents, having accurate, comprehensive planning data isn't just about compliance; it's about competitive advantage. Understanding local planning applications, tree preservation orders, and development potential can make the difference between winning or losing a valuation. 

"Planning data has always been challenging to standardise," explains Emma "Each council publishes it differently, and gathering it manually takes time. Our partnership with IBex means agents can now rely on a consistent, nationwide feed of planning information directly within their reports."

As regulatory requirements evolve and buyer expectations continue to rise, agents need tools that not only meet compliance standards but help them stand out in an increasingly competitive market. For Street Group, maintaining their position as a leading software provider meant finding a data partner who could help them deliver exactly that.

‍Finding the right partner: Why IBex? 

Street Group considered building an in-house solution, but as Emma explains, they quickly recognised the complexity of the challenge. "Aggregating accurate planning data from every council in the UK is a huge challenge," she notes. "We needed a partner who could deliver comprehensive coverage without years of development time."

IBex emerged as the clear choice for three key reasons:

Comprehensive, high-quality data: "IBex's coverage and data accuracy standards met the exacting requirements that our agents expect," Emma explains. "This wasn't just about having planning data - it was about having the right planning data."

Collaborative approach: From the outset, IBex engaged as a true partner rather than just a data supplier. "The relationship was built on shared goals and collaborative problem-solving," Emma notes. "It felt like we were working together toward the same vision."

Proven infrastructure: IBex already had the established technical infrastructure needed to access comprehensive planning data across all UK councils. "IBex stood out because they already had the infrastructure, relationships, and access to the full breadth of planning data we needed," says Emma. "This meant we could deliver value to our agents quickly rather than spending years building council relationships from scratch." Serac Group's expertise in planning data aggregation provided the foundation for this comprehensive coverage.

What the partnership delivers 

The integration has enhanced what estate agents receive in their Spectre Property Reports:

Comprehensive planning visibility: Every Spectre Property Report now automatically includes detailed planning data, presented in both map and list views, covering a radius around the property. Agents can instantly see all local planning applications and Tree Preservation Orders right within their report and valuation workflow.

Seamless integration: The planning data is available across all Spectre report types, whether that's a buyer, landlord, or tenant report - giving agents and their clients a clear view of what's happening in the area and what could impact a property's potential.

Enhanced agent capabilities: Beyond the core Spectre reports, Street Group has also launched an exclusive partnership with Planda, providing Street customers with complimentary preview planning reports. This unique advantage allows agents to demonstrate planning potential, elevate their expertise, and add tangible value during valuations.

"Agents can show vendors the planning potential of their property or reassure buyers that an extension would likely be approved," Emma explains. "It's a powerful way to demonstrate local knowledge and add real value in conversations that win instructions."

‍Impact 

The operational improvements have been significant," Emma notes. “Previously, agents spent valuable time manually cross-checking council websites for planning and TPO data. Now, the process is seamless - agents simply generate a report and the planning information is already there”.  This efficiency has translated into substantial growth, with Street Group seeing consistent month-on-month increases in Spectre Property Report usage since the integration launched, recently passing 50,000 reports generated annually.

Perhaps most tellingly, the response from agents has been characterised by what Emma calls "the lack of noise." Agents trust that the information is accurate and complete. It's become an everyday part of their workflow, helping them look more informed and professional during valuations.

"The response has been really positive, and in some ways, the lack of noise says it all," Emma notes. "Agents trust that the information is there and accurate. It's become an everyday part of their workflow."

When material information requirements emerged as a concern for the industry, Street Group agents were already equipped. "It was vital we were proactive in making sure our Property Reports went above and beyond those requirements," Emma explains. "Agents on Spectre can be assured they are already fully compliant, and have been for some time."

‍The competitive advantage

For agents using Street Group's platform, having the best possible planning data isn't optional- it's essential.

"Our agents expect Spectre to lead the way in data quality and innovation, and accurate, up-to-date planning data is a key part of that," Emma emphasises. "Partnering with IBex ensures we're delivering industry-leading reports that help our agents stand out and win more business."

The exclusive Planda integration adds another dimension to this competitive edge. Street customers can access complimentary preview planning reports, giving them a unique tool to demonstrate value that competitors simply don't have.

‍What's next

The partnership has established more than just a data integration-it's laid the foundation for how planning data can be used strategically in estate agency.

"I think there's huge potential ahead, especially as more agents begin using planning data proactively rather than reactively," Emma observes. "Tools like Planda are transforming how agents can apply this information, from highlighting development potential during a valuation to showing buyers what's possible with a property before they even make an offer."

This shift from compliance tool to strategic advantage represents an evolution in how planning data serves the estate agency industry. Street Group agents are uniquely positioned to lead this change, with comprehensive planning information built into their everyday workflow and exclusive access to deeper planning insights through Planda.

Both Street Group and Serac Group's IBex view this partnership as a significant step forward in how estate agency software can deliver real competitive advantage.

"We're genuinely excited to see how this partnership continues to evolve and how our Property Reports and Planda products empower agents to deliver more value, win more instructions, and raise the bar for the entire industry," Emma concludes. 

‍Want to learn more about our planning data capabilities? Whether you're looking to enhance your current offering or explore what improved planning intelligence could mean for your business, get in touch here.