Transforming UK planning: The role of AI in modernising UK local authorities
UK planning policy and practice is constantly evolving, more so now than in recent time as a result of the government’s mission to “Get Britain building again”. Proposed changes and consultations regarding Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the Infrastructure Bill going through parliament, and funding for Affordable Housing, are but to name a few.
One of the most recent announcements, made by Keir Starmer on 9 June 2025 at London Tech Week, revealed the government’s latest foray into AI, ‘Extract’. Extract has been described by the government as “an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed by the government with support from Google.”
Using Google’s DeepMind Gemini AI, Extract ‘reads’ planning documents and maps and pulls out useful information. First, it uses AI to understand the text, finding key details like permitted development rights, addresses and dates. Then, it identifies and extracts maps, using computer vision to trace boundaries and define specific areas. Finally, it uses geolocation techniques to place those areas accurately on a modern map. According to trials across Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter councils, results suggest Extract could process around 100 planning records a day, significantly quicker than the current process.
The short video below shows how it can be used. It can also be accessed through the following link; https://ai.gov.uk/projects/extract/
Most standard planning applications are still being returned after the desired 8 or 13 week (depending on complexity) turnaround promised by Local Authorities, and Section 106 agreements are taking on average up to 515 days to be returned according to the Home Builders Federation. The government claims Extract will be instrumental in assisting with reducing these delays, “freeing up capacity for planners to focus on assessing planning applications”. Government research suggests planning officers spend c250,000 hours each year manually checking old, paper form planning documents, with Extract expected to free up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making.
Whilst there is no doubt that Extract will prove useful in its purpose to convert old planning documents into “structured, digital data”, this is not the crux of where delays of planning applications lie, nor, should it be planning case officers who manually convert planning documents. Planning delays are the result of a consortium of issues, most notably the fact that local authorities are under-resourced, both financially and in terms of personnel. Whilst there is undeniable merit in Extract’s implementation, it remains to be seen whether the government’s goal of using Extract to “slash” the time local authorities spend deliberating planning applications will be realised.
How Moore Barlow can help
Legislation and planning policy is constantly evolving and if you are a developer, a landowner or objector, it is essential that you obtain the appropriate advice.
Whether preparing for an initial application, appealing a decision, ensuring planning obligations are carefully drafted, or complying with enforcement notices seeking advice from a specialist and experienced Planning & development solicitors can help you successfully navigate what can be a complex area of law.
