Google DeepMind Expands PlanAssist AI to Accelerate UK Planning Decisions

Google DeepMind announced that PlanAssist, an AI planning support tool developed in partnership with the UK government, Google Cloud, and Faculty, is expanding to an additional 12 local planning authorities across England. Powered by Gemini, the system assists planning officers with routine householder applications—such as loft conversions and extensions—which represent up to 70% of their workload. In early pilot testing across Barnet, Camden, and Dorset councils, PlanAssist reduced the average time officers spent assessing applications by 58%, while over 70% of generated assessment reports were approved without edits. The tool checks submitted documents and architectural drawings for completeness, cross-references local and national planning policies and heritage constraints, and drafts cited assessment reports for human review. DeepMind noted that human planning officers retain final approval on all decisions. The project is entering a 12-month Beta phase across 15 councils, with the UK government planning a potential nationwide rollout in England in 2027 subject to test outcomes.

Key takeaways

• PlanAssist was developed by Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty, and the UK government to automate routine planning review tasks while keeping human officers in final control.
• Initial pilot results across Barnet, Camden, and Dorset councils showed a 58% reduction in assessment time, with over 70% of AI-drafted reports approved without edits.
• The Gemini-based tool checks architectural drawings, validates documentation, reviews planning and heritage rules, and drafts cited assessment reports.
• The initiative is expanding to 12 additional English councils for a 12-month Beta phase, with potential deployment to all councils in England in 2027.