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Markdown edition

# PlanAssist expands to 15 English councils

> A 12-month beta extends planning support.

By BIGCHANGE.AI Editorial

Published: 2026-11-02T15:30:38.477Z
Updated: 2026-11-02T15:30:38.477Z
Canonical: https://bigchange.ai/blog/planassist-english-councils-beta

![Conceptual illustration of a person examining a small house model beside an unlabelled floor plan.](https://bigchange.ai/api/media/file/architect-review-v1.png)
AI-generated conceptual illustration by BIG CHANGE.

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](https://deepmind.google/blog/speeding-up-planning-decisions-with-ai/).

## 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](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/determining-a-planning-application) 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](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-planning-decisions-as-new-rules-and-ai-tackle-delays) 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.

## Sources & further reading

- [Google DeepMind announcement](https://deepmind.google/blog/speeding-up-planning-decisions-with-ai/) — Tool, beta and pilot claims.
- [Government announcement](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-planning-decisions-as-new-rules-and-ai-tackle-delays) — Council expansion and rollout intent.
- [Planning decision guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/determining-a-planning-application) — Decision-making context.

## Sources

- [Google DeepMind announcement](https://deepmind.google/blog/speeding-up-planning-decisions-with-ai/) — Tool, beta and pilot claims.
- [Government announcement](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faster-planning-decisions-as-new-rules-and-ai-tackle-delays) — Council expansion and rollout intent.
- [Planning decision guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/determining-a-planning-application) — Decision-making context.
Markdown edition: PlanAssist expands to 15 English councils — BIGCHANGE.AI