Currently in early testing, the AI tool could reduce the time needed to convert old planning documents into digital records, helping councils to make faster, better informed decisions to deliver housing
The government’s Incubator for AI (i.AI), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Digital Planning Programme, to develop AI that provides higher quality data, in turn helping councils make faster, smarter planning decisions.
The environmental impact of the tool has not been identified.
Delivering 1-2 hours of work in 40 seconds
Many councils still rely on paper documents and scanned PDFs, slowing down the planning process – resulting in backlogs, inefficiencies, and ‘wasted resources’.
Currerntly in early testing, the new generative AI tool will turn old planning documents—including blurry maps and handwritten notes—into clear, digital data in just 40 seconds – drastically reducing the 1-2 hours it typically takes planners.
By pulling key information from thousands of files, the tool helps cut delays, reduce errors in data, speed up planning decisions – freeing up planners’ time to focus on building the homes Britain needs.
“Updating and improving the planning system for the future”
Technology secretary Peter Kyle said: “The UK’s planning system has been held back for too long by outdated paper documents, slow processes, making it nearly impossible for councils to make informed decisions quickly.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re using the power of AI to transform sluggish systems so we can start to rebuild. 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 1.5m new homes the country needs, all while updating and improving the planning system for the future.”
Housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook said: “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.”
According to DSIT, the AI tool is currently being tested and could be available to councils later this year, with potential further applications across the public sector by enriching location-specific data.
The post Experimental AI tool that digitises planning data could help councils meet housing targets appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
