Accelerating Planning Decisions with AI Technology

The UK government is leveraging AI technology to expedite planning decisions and achieve its goal of building 1.5 million new homes. A newly launched AI tool, Extract, will rapidly convert decades-old handwritten planning documents into digital data, potentially reducing the 250,000 hours planning officers spend annually on manual checks. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer introduced Extract at London Tech Week, emphasizing its role in rejuvenating the outdated planning system and smoothing the development process for infrastructure and housing. While the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) expresses cautious optimism, its chief executive, Dr. Victoria Hills, stresses the importance of maintaining planners’ expertise and judgment. Extract’s trial demonstrated significant efficiency; digitizing records that typically take 1–2 hours now takes just three minutes. The government aims for full digitization of the planning system by spring 2026, enhancing transparency and accessibility for all stakeholders involved.

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