PGAT is a structured method for evaluating whether a planning decision process is properly supported and recorded. It focuses on how evidence is handled, how decision-critical issues are addressed at the point of determination.
PGAT is a structured method for evaluating whether a planning decision process is properly supported and recorded. It focuses on how evidence is handled, how decision-critical issues are addressed at the point of determination, and whether the reasoning is robust enough to withstand scrutiny.
PGAT is outcome-neutral. It does not “take sides” on development. It assesses process quality: evidence, governance, and decision-law compliance.
PGAT is readable by anyone, but not all content is open by default. Some reference material, analytical guidance, and methodology notes are available only to registered users. This helps preserve signal quality and ensures that decision-law concepts are used with the appropriate context.
Access is structured. The platform is designed for responsible use and does not provide step-by-step escalation instructions or contact targeting.
PGAT produces structured, governance-led analysis designed to be calm, evidence-based, and suitable for professional review. Its core value is identifying where a decision becomes exposed due to procedural weakness or decision-critical gaps.
PGAT distinguishes between evidence that exists somewhere in the file and evidence that is actually carried into the decision (summarised, presented, and relied upon). This prevents “paper compliance” from being mistaken for decision integrity.
PGAT flags issues that must be resolved (or lawfully addressed) at the stage being determined. It helps detect when “we’ll deal with it later” becomes an unlawful or unsafe deferral.
PGAT examines whether policy is meaningfully engaged with (operative requirements, thresholds, tests), rather than merely referenced. Token or superficial policy mention is treated as a governance weakness where policy is decision-critical.
PGAT detects common evidence failures such as unreadable/stubbed documents, missing assessments, or reliance on assumptions where the decision requires demonstrated support.
PGAT reviews whether the recorded reasoning is coherent, anchored in material considerations, and consistent with lawful decision-making expectations. It highlights indicators of decision exposure.
PGAT is designed to reduce noise, not amplify it. In many cases, the correct outcome is improved understanding or inaction. The platform prioritises precision, proportionality, and governance clarity.
PGAT is implemented as a Python-based analytical system designed for document-heavy, evidence-led governance review.
PGAT is built in Python because of its strengths in structured text analysis, document processing, and deterministic rule evaluation. Planning decisions rely heavily on large, complex document sets, and Python provides mature, well-supported tooling for handling those inputs reliably.
The choice of Python reflects a design priority for clarity, repeatability, and analytical control rather than automation of outcomes.
PGAT uses a small number of established Python libraries for document handling, structured text processing, and data management. These are selected for stability and transparency, not novelty.
PGAT does not automate decisions and does not generate conclusions independently of its analytical rules. Where automated language generation is used, it operates strictly downstream of deterministic findings and serves only to improve readability.
The analytical outcome is always defined by the governance rules applied to the source material, not by statistical inference.
PGAT can be deployed as a standalone analytical program or integrated into a web-based platform. Its architecture allows it to operate independently of any particular interface, making it suitable for professional, organisational, or hosted environments.
This separation ensures that analytical behaviour remains consistent regardless of how or where the results are viewed.
| Platform | Windows |
|---|---|
| Outputs | PDF, TXT |
| Input | PDF Document |
| Licence | Single-user / Organisation (1 year term) |
| Support | Via PGAT Support forum |
Reviews are not yet available.
Videos provide a demonstration of how to use PGAT.
This software is licensed on a single-licensee, lease basis. It is not sold. Ownership and intellectual property remain with the Licensor.
If outputs are shared publicly (including reports, websites, or formal submissions), the included attribution / provenance block must remain intact and unaltered.
The licence is time-limited to 10 years.
Full licence terms are provided with the software. Licensor: Venture Governance Ltd (PGAT ecosystem).