A new AI tool which will fully digitise the planning system is being rolled out by the government.
Speaking at London Tech Week, the Prime Minister announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed by government with support from Google.
It is envisaged this technology will help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data, and will power new types of planning software to slash the 250,000 estimated hours spent by planning officers each year manually checking these documents. It will, according to the Prime Minister, dramatically reduce delays that have long plagued the system.
Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on paper documents – some hundreds of pages long. Once submitted, each of these documents needs to be manually validated and approved by a planning officer.
In test trials across Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter councils, Extract digitised planning records, including maps, in just three minutes each – compared to the 1–2 hours it typically takes manually. Meaning Extract could process around 100 planning records a day – significantly speeding up the process.
“This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding,” states Sir Keir Starmer. “It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process and reduce costs and save time for councils and developers.”
Extract is expected to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026.
Government and Google
The government is working with Google to develop and expand Extract to all local authorities in England using its Gemini model.
Co-Founder & CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis said: “We build our AI models to understand all types of information – from text to handwritten notes and technical drawings – so it’s really exciting to see the UK government choose Gemini to help speed up the planning process and support planners and people across the country.”
The planning data, unlocked through Extract, will be uploaded to a publicly accessible gov.uk service page. Open, public data will ensure the planning system is more transparent, accessible and understandable to the public. The government will also explore the best and most efficient ways to deploy Extract into local authorities – this might also include developing an app to scan documents instantly.
Commenting on the announcement of the AI Tool ‘Extract’, Chris Ball, President, UK & Ireland, AtkinsRéalis said: “Streamlining and digitising the planning system is at the heart of how infrastructure can unlock rapid growth around the UK.
“Deploying AI in this way will address resourcing issues, and create a foundation to build upon the work that has been done in pockets of excellence around the country to centralise planning data, standardise records and terms and provide a comprehensive and joined-up view of applications to speed up and simplify planning at city, town and county level.
“These kinds of efficiencies will ensure plans pass through the system more quickly, to deliver the benefits to people in need of new homes and better transport links to connect communities and open up opportunities.
“As a company involved in the planning, consenting and delivery of UK infrastructure, from major energy and transportation projects through to small sites for social housing via our EDAROTH development business, we can see the huge potential for AI tools like Extract to revolutionise the planning system, turning it from a blocker to an enabler for growth.”
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