Google DeepMind PlanAssist Cuts UK Planning Assessment Time 58%

Google DeepMind's PlanAssist, an AI tool built on Gemini, cut the time planning officers spend assessing householder applications by 58% in pilots across Barnet, Camden, and Dorset. More than 70% of AI-generated assessment reports were approved by planning officers without edits. Routine householder applications account for up to 70% of planning officers' workloads. The tool is now moving into a 12-month Beta phase with 12 additional councils, bringing the total to 15, with a planned rollout to all English councils in 2027. Every assessment is reviewed and approved by a qualified planning officer before any decision is made. PlanAssist was developed by Google DeepMind in collaboration with the UK government, Google Cloud, and Faculty.