A new AI tool is being developed to modernise council planning by replacing outdated paper systems with high-quality digital data, and therefore, enable faster, smarter decisions.

Many councils still use paper documents and scanned PDFs, which results in backlogs, inefficiencies, and wasted resources.

To help tackle these problems, a new programme will develop AI that provides higher quality data, in turn helping councils make faster, smarter planning decisions. 

The generative AI tool will turn old planning documents, including blurry maps and handwritten notes, into clear, digital data in just 40 seconds.

The tool is currently being tested and could be made available to councils later this year.

Technology secretary Peter Kyle said: "The UK’s planning system has been held back for too long by outdated paper documents, slow processes, making it nearly impossible for councils to make informed decisions quickly.

"As part of our Plan for Change, we’re using the power of AI to transform sluggish systems so we can start to rebuild. With Extract, councils will have access to better quality data so they can move more quickly on planning decisions and get on with driving growth.  

"Technology like this could be a vital step towards councils meeting targets to help build the 1.5 million new homes the country needs, all while updating and improving the planning system for the future."

Housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook said: "To kickstart economic growth and achieve the government’s ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament, we need local planning authorities to be making informed decisions faster.

By harnessing new technology like Extract, we can tackle backlogs, inefficiencies and waste and ensure councils are focusing precious time and resources on efficiently determining applications to build new homes."