Gemini-based AI tool PlanAssist is expanding from three English pilot councils to 15 in a 12-month beta using live applications, Google DeepMind said October 31.

The big change

  • The tool assists officers assessing household applications.
  • Reported time savings concern assessment work.
  • Planning decisions still require judgment about relevant considerations.

What the tool does

DeepMind says PlanAssist checks documents, drawings, policies, site constraints and objections, then drafts cited reports. Officers review and edit them and retain the final decision.

Government planning guidance explains that decisions must follow the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Relevant public representations can be material, but support or opposition alone is not a reason to grant or refuse permission. That framework helps explain why gathering information and exercising judgment are distinct tasks.

What the pilot figures show

DeepMind reports that average officer assessment time fell by 58% in the early pilot and over 70% of reports were approved without edits. It gives no sample size or detailed methodology; the figures do not establish shorter end-to-end waits.

The government says use is voluntary. Subject to successful testing, wider availability across England is planned for 2027. The government’s repeated pilot figures are not independent validation.

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