28th July 2010: Skape, a 3D city mapping online service provided by Astrium Services subsidiary Infoterra, is today launching a 3D flythrough proposals service to ensure that the 'Localism' planning agenda proposed by the new Government is achievable.

Skape undertook a survey which has highlighted that more than 76 per cent of the public struggle to interpret and understand architects' plans. Following a survey of more than 3,000 residents in Manchester, Birmingham, London and Leicester, an overwhelming 90 per cent felt the Government's plan to give people more power over local planning decisions was the right move.

However, 63 per cent were concerned about how developers would help them to properly understand the implications of the proposals, and many believed that - due to their lack of understanding - the 'localism' planning agenda would fail.

Paul Fearn, business manager at Skape, commented: "Following the Government's announcement that it plans to introduce a Decentralisation and Localism Bill giving local communities more power in planning decisions, we conducted research into residents' understanding of the processes involved."

"We found that a staggering number struggled to grasp the process. So, using our knowledge and expertise, we've developed the new Skape 3D flythrough proposal service. This allows residents to truly see ezactly what a proposed development will look like and how it will integrate with the local area. These may be viewed online or within the local authority offices for example."

"This is a speedy and cost-effective process which will ensure that both developers and architects have the tools needed to ensure that residents can view the proposals within the local setting."

"Never before has this technology been available, and it means that now there is no excuse for not fully engaging with the local community, using everything from 3D images on screens and plans to hologramatic models. In fact, forward-thinking councils, such as Sheffield, are already starting to demand this level of detail for pre-application public consultations."


About Astrium
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2009, Astrium had a turnover of 4.8 billion euros and more than 15,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and Astrium Services for the development and provision of secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, geo-information products and services, and navigation services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, EADS generated revenues of 42.8 billion euros and employed a workforce of more than 119,000.

About Infoterra
Infoterra Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium Service, and a leading provider of geographic information products, software and services. Its portfolio of geographic information solutions includes airborne and satellite data acquisition, operational emergency planning systems, geo-information creation, database management and outsourced hosting. Infoterra provides geospatial and software knowledge to companies worldwide to help them make informed decisions. The company has major customers in public safety, government, defence, insurance, utilities, engineering and oil, gas & mineral exploration.

www.infoterra.co.uk