DeepMind's PlanAssist planning tool expands to 12 more English councils

Google DeepMind says PlanAssist, a Gemini-based tool built with the UK government, Google Cloud and Faculty, is moving into a 12-month beta on live applications, with 12 more councils joining pilot councils Barnet, Camden and Dorset in three cohorts for 15 in total. It checks householder applications for missing documents, heritage constraints such as tree preservation orders, local and national policies and earlier objections, then drafts cited reports that officers can edit before they decide. In pilots since June, DeepMind says the average officer time on householder assessment tasks fell by 58% and more than 70% of the tool's reports were approved with no edits. Subject to successful testing, the government plans to make it available to all councils in England in 2027, with a qualified planning officer approving every assessment.