Planning tool cuts routine review time while officers keep the final say

Homeowners and small businesses could receive routine planning answers sooner after a government test cut officers’ review time by 58%. The PlanAssist tool brings applications, local policy and site constraints into one workspace, helping trained staff handle straightforward cases.

Early testing reportedly helped halve processing times for householder applications from eight weeks to four. National Construction News reports that the trial is expanding to 15 councils, while new delegation rules allow expert officers to decide more routine cases without waiting for a committee slot.

The evidence is still an early operational test, not proof of better decisions or faster housebuilding. Councils are not required to use the software, and officers remain responsible for every judgement. Open planning data is also needed before tools can work consistently. Used carefully and transparently, the approach shows how automation can remove repetitive checking and return professional time to cases that genuinely need public scrutiny.

Sources

• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government — Faster planning decisions as new rules and AI tackle delays
• National Construction News — Officers take over routine planning decisions as PlanAssist AI test grows to 15