Council tests AI to speed up planning applications

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are being trialled in Dorset to help combat planning application delays.

The team of agents is helping Dorset Council planning officers with minor applications by reviewing documents and providing recommendations.

Dorset is one of three councils trialling the tool, developed by AI specialist Faculty on behalf of the government.

Faculty's director of public services, Paul Maltby, said AI agents would not replace officers but would instead collate information to allow them to work more efficiently.

Dorset Council has been asked to comment.

Maltby said: "The planning system is clogged up, it's slowing people down who want to improve their homes and it's stopping economic growth.

"It will give the planning officers a team of AI agents that will help them with simple applications like converting an attic or adding a bedroom."

The prototype is in early stage testing with Barnet, Camden and Dorset councils.

It triages applications, summarises key information and provides planning officers with an initial assessment they can consider when making their decision.

The government says the technology aims to halve average processing times for applications from eight to four weeks and, if successful, will be rolled out nationwide by 2027.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, Maltby said about 85% of planning applications were minor applications.

He said planning officers, who would "remain at the heart" of the system were "really excited" about the project.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said: "Our planning system remains heavily reliant on cumbersome paper-based processes that consume the time of expert planning officers. We are dragging the system into the 21st Century."

Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government, Ian Murray, said: "This isn't about replacing the expertise and judgement of planning professionals, it's about taking admin off their desks so they can focus on the skilled work their communities need most."

Maltby said Dorset had been chosen because it was leading the way in digital innovation.

He said: "You might think of AI as something that happens off in California or something but Dorset is genuinely one of the leading councils right at the forefront digital services work.

"People may not think of Dorset as a hotbed of innovation but Dorset is doing some remarkable things and it's something to be proud of."