The government has begun testing an AI tool it says could convert planning documents into digital records in just 40 seconds, in what it says is ‘a vital step’ to helping councils meet the 1.5 million new homes target.
Extract is a generative AI tool that will turn documents such as old maps and handwritten notes into digital data – tasks the government says can take planners up to two hours to complete manually.
‘By pulling key information from thousands of files, the tool helps cut delays, reduce errors in data and speed up planning decisions to free up planners’ time to focus on building the homes Britain needs,’ a joint statement from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said.
Housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook added:
“To kickstart economic growth and achieve the government’s ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament, we need local planning authorities to be making informed decisions faster.
“By harnessing new technology like Extract, we can tackle backlogs, inefficiencies and waste and ensure councils are focusing precious time and resources on efficiently determining applications to build new homes.”
The paper documents and scanned PDFs used by councils contribute to ongoing backlogs in the planning system, according to the government’s statement.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle commented:
“The UK’s planning system has been held back for too long by outdated paper documents and slow processes, making it nearly impossible for councils to make informed decisions quickly.
“With Extract, councils will have access to better quality data so they can move more quickly on planning decisions and get on with driving growth. Technology like this could be a vital step towards councils meeting targets to help build the 1.5 million new homes the country needs, all while updating and improving the planning system for the future.”
The tool, which could be available to councils later this year, is part of a series of planning reforms the government has committed to in its support of the 1.5 million new homes target. Plans are also underway to update the National Planning Policy Framework, which the Office of Budget Responsibility says will boost the economy by £6.8 billion and see the highest level of housebuilding in the country for over 40 years.
