Google DeepMind expands PlanAssist AI planning tool to 12 additional UK councils

Expanding AI-assisted planning across the UK

Google DeepMind is expanding the deployment of PlanAssist, an AI-powered tool designed to streamline local government planning processes, to 12 additional local planning authorities across England. This expansion follows successful pilot programs in Barnet, Camden, and Dorset, where the tool demonstrated its ability to significantly reduce the administrative burden on planning officers.

Impact on planning efficiency

PlanAssist addresses the bottlenecks in processing routine householder applications, which typically account for up to 70% of a planning officer's workload. During the initial pilot phase, the tool reduced the average time spent on assessment tasks by 58%. Furthermore, over 70% of the reports generated by the AI—covering documentation completeness and compliance with local planning rules—were approved by officers without requiring any edits.

How PlanAssist functions

Built on the Gemini model, PlanAssist functions as a support system for human decision-makers rather than an autonomous replacement. The tool performs several key administrative functions:

  • Document Validation: It checks that all required application documents and architectural drawings are present.
  • Constraint Checking: It evaluates applications against national and local planning policies, as well as specific heritage constraints like tree preservation orders.
  • Objection Analysis: It identifies previously raised issues or objections from local residents.
  • Drafting Recommendations: It generates fully cited assessment reports for review.

In all cases, human planning officers retain the final authority to review, edit, and approve every application before a decision is finalized.

Scaling and future rollout

Following the initial pilot, PlanAssist is entering a 12-month Beta phase. The 12 new councils will be onboarded in three separate cohorts to ensure testing across a diverse range of metropolitan and rural districts. The UK government intends to make the tool available to all councils in England by 2027, provided that the ongoing testing phase remains successful. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Google DeepMind, the UK government, Google Cloud, and Faculty, aimed at utilizing AI to improve public service delivery and support national housing goals.

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