Speeding up planning decisions with AI
deepmind ·
Google DeepMind's AI tool, PlanAssist, is expanding to 12 additional local planning authorities in England after successful pilot tests. The system significantly reduces the time planning officers spend on routine householder applications by up to 58%. Developed with Gemini, the tool automates document validation, policy checks, and report drafting while ensuring human officers retain final decision-making authority. Early trials in Barnet, Camden, and Dorset demonstrated that over 70% of generated reports required no edits before approval. This initiative aims to alleviate planning bottlenecks that hinder the UK government's goal of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029. By handling administrative burdens, PlanAssist allows experts to focus their judgment on complex cases rather than simple approvals. The tool will enter a 12-month beta phase with live applications across diverse communities. If testing remains successful, the government plans to make PlanAssist available to all councils in England by 2027.
deepmind