Millions of homeowners across England are set for a significant boost in the planning process, with two new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools unveiled today aiming to halve decision times on extensions and other home improvements. The government's latest technological push aims to modernise the often-cumbersome planning permission system, with a view to accelerating the process for individuals and supporting its wider ambition of constructing 1.5 million new homes.
One of the innovations, currently being tested in Barnet, Camden, and Dorset councils, uses AI to triage householder planning applications, summarise critical information, and provide an initial assessment for planning officers. The goal is to cut the average decision time from eight weeks to just four – a significant reduction given that these routine applications account for nearly 70% of all annual submissions.
The second tool, named 'Extract', has been made available to every council in England and leverages AI to convert decades of historic planning documents into usable digital data within minutes. This is expected to free up around 250,000 hours per year currently spent by planning officers manually reviewing such records – time that could be better spent on more complex cases and major developments.
Ministers Ian Murray and Matthew Pennycook highlighted that these tools are not meant to replace the expertise of planning professionals but rather to reduce administrative burdens, allowing officers to focus on skilled work and critical decisions. Naisha Polaine of Barnet Council welcomed the potential for significant time savings, which could contribute to meeting local housing targets.
For homeowners, faster decisions on extensions could lead to quicker access to finance for home improvements – potentially impacting property values. A well-executed extension can add substantial value, with some estimates suggesting a loft conversion could increase a property's worth by 10-20%. The broader context of building 1.5 million homes also has implications for the housing market, potentially easing supply constraints that have contributed to rising house prices.
According to Rightmove data from May 2024, the average asking price across Great Britain reached a record high of £375,131 – up 0.8% month-on-month. Increased housing stock could, in the long term, help to moderate such increases, though the immediate impact on house prices would be gradual.