New planning rules announced by Andy Burnham's government come into force for all homeowners from tomorrow (October 31). Households looking to extend or convert their properties, along with small businesses improving their premises, could receive quicker planning decisions under the changes aimed at cutting unnecessary delays.
Faster Decisions for Routine Applications
Straightforward applications will now be decided by expert planning officers rather than waiting for a planning committee slot, which is set to help families, shopkeepers and pub landlords get greater certainty and faster answers.
The new National Scheme of Delegation will free up councillors to focus on the most significant developments. There will be 420 newly recruited planners through government-backed programmes, exceeding the government's 2024 manifesto commitment to recruit 300 additional planners more than two years before the end of this Parliament.
AI Tool to Halve Processing Times
New AI technology is also designed to take time-consuming admin off planners' desks, and will also help homeowners get quicker decisions on applications such as getting permission for a house extension, loft conversion or adding a conservatory.
Developed with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local authorities, PlanAssist brings together applications, policies and site constraints into one place for trained officers to review. Early testing cut time spent on key planning tasks by 58 per cent, helping to halve processing times for routine householder applications from eight weeks to four.
Following a successful trial in Camden, Barnet and Dorset Councils, the tool will now be used by 15 councils for 12 months, with the government intending to make it available to every council in England by the end of 2027.
Impact on Planning System
With household planning applications accounting for nearly 70 per cent of applications each year, the changes will create a faster, more efficient planning service for residents and businesses, and give planners more time to tackle complex cases.
Housing Secretary Angela 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."
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said: "Whether it's building an extension or converting a loft, families shouldn't face unnecessary delays getting the go-ahead to improve their homes.
"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."
Owen Larter, Senior Director, Frontier AI Policy & Global Affairs at Google DeepMind said: "PlanAssist puts AI to work by freeing planning officers to spend more time deciding on applications and less time on administrative paperwork.
"Providing the tool to more councils is the natural next step, and we'll continue supporting the government and local councils as they seek to build more homes and unlock economic growth."
