AI tool launched to help address planning delays

The UK government has announced the roll out of a new AI tool to enable local authority planning officers to process applications more quickly and reduce delays.

Speaking at London Tech Week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant developed by government with support from Google.

The tool will help councils convert handwritten planning documents and maps into data, and will power new software to minimise the 250,000 hours spent annually by planning officers nationwide manually checking documents. 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.

Extract is expected to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026 and is part of a wider ambition to fully digitise the planning system. The rollout aims to free up time for planning officers to focus on larger-scale planning applications and speed-up decision making for new housing developments.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country— slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built.

“This government is working hand in hand with business to change that. With Extract, we’re harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change.“

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner added:

“By using cutting-edge technology like Extract we can fix the broken planning system, cut delays, save money, and also reduce burdens on councils to help pave the way for the biggest building boom in a generation.“

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.“

Tom Shardlow, CEO of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council in the West Midlands, said of the borough’s experience in trialing the AI planning tool:

“Just like many local authorities, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has many plans and documents in storage from historic planning applications over the years. Working with the Extract team, we have seen the outputs from Extract, and how these could improve our service, providing high quality, digital, GeoSpatial data and how this could speed up the process for our Planning Team.”