The Government has announced that three English councils have been testing a new AI prototype that aims to halve decision times for routine planning 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.”
Two tools have been announced, the first is an AI prototype aiming to halve the time it takes to process householder planning applications – down from 8, to 4 weeks. If successful in the three councils it is being trialled (Barnet, Camden and Dorset), it will roll out nationwide by 2027.
The second called ‘Extract’, is available to all councils in England and converts decades-old planning documents and maps into readily useable data.
With 350,000 planning applications submitted a year in England, planners often check historical applications and precedents – Extract will ensure the data included within them is more easily searchable.
Michael Parinchy, Senior Project Manager at ProBuild 360 Ltd and House Builders Association (HBA) Chairman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “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.”
