A Google-built AI tool is halving the wait time for home extension approvals in England
The UK government is using a new AI tool developed by Google to halve the wait time for home extension approval in England. Developed with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local authorities, PlanAssist brings together applications, policies and site constraints into one place for trained officers to review.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government noted that early testing cut time spent on key planning tasks by 58% – helping us halve processing times for routine householder applications from eight weeks to four.
“Whether it’s building an extension or converting a loft, families shouldn’t face unnecessary delays getting the go-ahead to improve their homes,” said AI Minister Kanishka Narayan.
“This is what putting AI to work for the public looks like in practice. By slashing the time spent on routine planning tasks by more than half, we’re helping families get quicker answers while freeing up skilled planners to focus on the major developments that will get Britain building.”
Owen Larter, Senior Director, Frontier AI Policy & Global Affairs at Google DeepMind said that PlanAssist puts AI to work by freeing planning officers to spend more time deciding on applications and less time on administrative paperwork
“Providing the tool to more councils is the natural next step, and we’ll continue supporting the government and local councils as they seek to build more homes and unlock economic growth,” he said.
Following a successful trial in Camden, Barnet and Dorset Councils, the tool will now expand to 15 councils for 12 months, with the government intending to make it available to every council in England by the end of 2027.
Maureen Costello, Vice President, UK, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa, Google Cloud said that company was also helping with government digitisation efforts across multiple touchhpoints.
“We aren’t just helping local councils digitise paperwork; with Google’s frontier AI and secure cloud infrastructure, we are building a system of intelligence that tackles real operational backlogs.
“Building on encouraging early testing with local authorities, expanding PlanAssist across 15 councils will help speed up everyday household applications like kitchen and loft extensions, while freeing up vital capacity for planning officers to help the UK reach its national homebuilding targets.”
