The UK Government has announced the rollout of ‘Extract’, a new AI tool designed to support local councils and planning officers by automating the processing of planning documents.
Developed with support from Google, Extract can convert handwritten and historic planning documents into structured data within minutes, helping reduce the significant time spent on manual checks. Currently, planning officers in England handle approximately 350,000 applications annually, often relying on paper files that require time-intensive validation.
Trial implementations in Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter showed that Extract reduced processing time from one to two hours per document to just three minutes. On this basis, the tool could manage up to 100 planning records per day, supporting a more efficient workflow for local authorities.
The technology is expected to be available to all councils by spring 2026. Its integration aims to increase productivity, reduce administrative burden, and improve the speed and reliability of planning decisions. It also supports the government’s broader Plan for Change goal to build 1.5 million homes during the next Parliament.
In addition to faster processing, Extract is intended to make the planning system more transparent by uploading converted data to a publicly accessible platform on gov.uk. The government is exploring options to streamline deployment further, including the development of a document-scanning app.
This initiative complements wider investments in digital planning, with councils spending an estimated £59.4 million per year on related software. Potential time and cost savings for the public sector have been estimated at £527 million annually.
The government plans to expand Extract’s capabilities to process all types of planning documents by the end of 2026, with the goal of fully digitising the planning system. This move is also supported by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is intended to accelerate delivery of infrastructure and housing projects across the UK.
Speaking at London Tech Week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country— slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built.
‘This government is working hand in hand with business to change that. With Extract, we’re harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change.
‘It’s a bold step forward in our mission to build 1.5 million more homes and deliver a planning system that’s fit for the 21st century.’
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