A new AI-assisted planning tool will help to speed up planning decisions said the government which, alongside the recruitment of 420 planners through government-backed programmes, would see “families, shopkeepers and pub landlords get decisions sooner.”
Over the weekend the government announced “straightforward” planning applications would be decided by expert planning officers rather than waiting for a planning committee slot. The new National Scheme of Delegation will give greater certainty for applicants, while freeing up councillors to focus on the most significant developments they added.
The technology, developed with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local authorities, is designed to “take time-consuming admin off planners’ desks” bringing together planning applications, local policies and site constraints in one place, helping officers identify key information more quickly and efficiently. Planning officers remain responsible for reviewing applications and making decisions.
Early testing suggests
New AI technology designed to take time-consuming admin off planners’ desks will also help homeowners get quicker decisions on their applications, like getting permission for a house extension or a conservatory. Developed with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local authorities, PlanAssist brings together applications, policies and site constraints into one place for trained officers to review. Early testing cut time spent on key planning tasks by 58% – helping us halve processing times for routine householder applications from eight weeks to four.
could cut time on key planning tasks by 58% – helping halve processing times for routine householder applications from eight weeks to four.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “Families wanting more space and businesses looking to grow shouldn’t be left waiting unnecessarily for straightforward planning decisions.
“We’re giving councils the people, tools and reforms they need to get applications moving faster, while freeing up planners and councillors to focus on the developments that will deliver the homes and infrastructure communities need.
“We’ve already beaten our manifesto commitment to recruit 300 planners, and we’re going further with 1,400 new recruits across the planning system by the end of this Parliament.”
Having been successfully trialled in Camden, Barnet and Dorset Councils, the tool will now expand to 15 councils for 12 months, with the government intending to make it available to every council in England by the end of 2027.
Householder applications account for nearly 70% of planning applications annually. It is hoped the changes will get more “everyday” applications moving; providing more time for planners to tackle complex cases.
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan added: “Whether it’s building an extension or converting a loft, families shouldn’t face unnecessary delays getting the go-ahead to improve their homes.
“This is what putting AI to work for the public looks like in practice. By slashing the time spent on routine planning tasks by more than half, we’re helping families get quicker answers while freeing up skilled planners to focus on the major developments that will get Britain building.”
