The government has recruited 420 planners through Government-backed programmes, exceeding its manifesto pledge to hire 300 planning officers, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The recruits are intended to support the delivery of 1.5 million new homes.
Recruitment exceeds target
The ministry said on Friday that families and businesses could get quicker decisions thanks to the new recruits, which exceed the pledge more than two years before the end of the Parliament. The extra officers could help provide quicker answers for homeowners looking to extend or convert their loft, and small businesses improving their premises, the Government said.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner previously said there is only a slim chance of the Government delivering its wider promise to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, amid turbulence from the Iran war and rising construction costs.
AI system to cut admin
Officials hope a new AI system, PlanAssist, could also cut admin for staff by bringing together applications, policies and site constraints in one place for planners to review.
Ms Rayner said: “Families wanting more space and businesses looking to grow shouldn’t be left waiting unnecessarily for straightforward planning decisions.
“We’re giving councils the people, tools and reforms they need to get applications moving faster, while freeing up planners and councillors to focus on the developments that will deliver the homes and infrastructure communities need.
“We’ve already beaten our manifesto commitment to recruit 300 planners, and we’re going further with 1,400 new recruits across the planning system by the end of this Parliament.”
Ms Rayner told the BBC last month that there was a “slim chance” the Government would meet its target of building 1.5 million homes in England by the next election, “but I’m definitely not giving it up”.
AI minister on PlanAssist
AI minister Kanishka Narayan said: “This is what putting AI to work for the public looks like in practice.
“By slashing the time spent on routine planning tasks by more than half, we’re helping families get quicker answers while freeing up skilled planners to focus on the major developments that will get Britain building.”
