The government's plan to use artificial intelligence to accelerate planning for new homes may face an unexpected obstacle: AI-powered nimbyism. A new service called Objector offers 'policy-backed objections in minutes' to people upset about planning applications near their homes, using generative AI to scan applications and automatically create objection letters, speeches, and even videos.
Kent residents Hannah and Paul George designed the system after spending hundreds of hours opposing a mosque conversion near their home. For £45 per use, they offer the tool to those who cannot afford a specialist lawyer, aiming to 'level the playing field'. Similar services like Planningobjection.com charge £99 for AI-generated objection letters, and community campaigners have encouraged using ChatGPT for objections.
Leading planning lawyer Sebastian Charles warned such AIs could 'supercharge nimbyism' and cause the planning system to 'grind to a halt' if widely used. He noted AI-generated objections have included references to non-existent case law, risking decisions made on false information. Objector co-founder Hannah George denied the platform automates nimbyism, saying it makes the planning system fairer amid the government's 'build, baby, build' mission.
Objector uses two AI models to cross-check results and reduce 'hallucinations'. It currently targets small applications, with larger ones in development. The Labour government promotes AI to clear planning backlogs, launching tools like Extract to speed up processes and meet its 1.5m home target. However, John Myers of the Yimby Alliance foresees an AI 'arms race' between those accelerating and opposing developments.
