In a significant move to modernize Britain's outdated planning system, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled Extract, an AI assistant designed to revolutionize how planning permissions are processed across the UK.
Announced at London Tech Week, Extract harnesses Google's Gemini AI model to transform planning documents—including blurry maps and handwritten notes—into clear, digital data in just minutes, compared to the hours traditionally required. The technology can scan hundreds of files in seconds, dramatically reducing the estimated 250,000 hours planning officers spend annually on manual document checking.
"For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country—slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built," said Starmer. "With Extract, we're harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change."
The system leverages Gemini's advanced visual reasoning capabilities to recognize relevant features on maps and identify addresses, road intersections, and landmarks to generate modern, geolocated versions of historical planning documents. In test trials across Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter councils, Extract digitized planning records in just three minutes each—a task that typically takes 1-2 hours manually.
The technology has already demonstrated its effectiveness, helping approve 18 planning decisions and 18 nationally significant infrastructure projects, including airport expansions, data centers, and major housing developments. The government plans to make Extract available to all councils by Spring 2026, with the goal of fully digitizing the planning system by the end of that year.
This initiative forms a key part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to accelerate infrastructure and housing development to meet the government's target of building 1.5 million homes during this Parliament. The bill includes provisions to streamline planning processes, improve decision-making, and fast-track critical infrastructure projects.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner emphasized that Extract will help "fix the broken planning system, cut delays, save money, and reduce burdens on councils to help pave the way for the biggest building boom in a generation."