Following the government’s announcement of AI tools for planning departments, the NFB has welcomed the move
Tested across three English councils, the AI planning tools aim to halve the time taken to make decisions for routine applications.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “AI is perfectly placed to assess and record planning applications, particularly as we move to a rules-based system.
“We welcome the speed at which this announcement has become a tool for all councils and are excited about the direction of travel.”
Speeding up planning with modern technology
The first is a new AI prototype that aims to halve the time it takes to process householder planning applications – down from eight to four weeks in an average case.
It’s in early-stage testing with Barnet, Camden and Dorset councils. The prototype planning tool triages applications, summarises key information, and provides planning officers with an initial assessment to consider when making their decision.
The other AI planning tool, Extract, is now available to all councils in England as promised by the Prime Minister last year.
It uses AI to help planning officers convert decades-old planning documents and maps, sometimes with handwritten notes, into readily useable data in minutes.
Reduced workload could revive ‘broken’ planning system
With 350,000 planning applications submitted a year in England, planners often check historical applications and precedents, the new AI tools will ensure the data included within them is more easily searchable.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Michael Parinchy, senior project manager at ProBuild 360 Ltd and House Builders Association chairman, stated: “The planning system is completely broken, and so if these AI tools have a significant impact on reducing workload for planners and in turn speed up determinations, we will be very supportive.”
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