Less Planning, More Doing

A new AI prototype that aims to massively cut decision times for routine planning applications is now being tested in three English counties with a full rollout targeted for 2027.

Another ten English counties will be trialling the system by the end of the year.

Should I stay or should I go now?

Installers and fabricators of skylights, lanterns, garden doors and other construction products that go into loft conversions and extensions will be delighted to discover that from quote to delivery times could halve…getting important high value projects moving faster in a difficult market.

The ‘don’t move, improve’ sales message has grown in recent times. The ‘improve to move’ message is now gathering weight as fewer than 14 per cent of UK homes have increased in value year-on-year for the past five years according to a recent Zoopla survey.

See the story here on Installation Eye

Two tools are better than one

In fact, wo AI tools were unveiled in mid-June. The first aims to cut the time it takes to process householder planning applications from eight to four weeks in an average case.

It is still in testing with Barnet and Camden councils in London and Dorset council.

The prototype triages applications, summarises key information and provides planning officers with an initial assessment they can consider when making their decision. It has been created by government together with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local planning authorities.

Extract

The second is called Extract. This now available to all councils in England.  It uses AI to help planning officers convert decades-old planning documents and maps, sometimes with handwritten notes, into readily useable data.

Allows focus new build

Householder applications account for nearly 70% of planning applications each year. By reducing the time spent on straightforward cases, the prototype being tested in Barnet, Camden and Dorset could help planning officers focus more on complex applications, including new housing and major developments communities rely on.

Quick, quick slow

Although the rollout is scheduled for 2027, every assessment will still be reviewed and approved by a qualified planning officer before any decision is made.

Picture: Faster decisions could get more home improvement projects moving.