How AI can reinvent the foundations of planning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is riding high on a wave of excitement, sitting comfortably at what Gartner calls the ‘peak of inflated expectations’. Meanwhile, the long-overdue digital overhaul of public services feels stuck, especially in planning and the built environment, at the ‘trough of disillusionment’.

Public investment has mostly focused on fixing the basics, updating outdated systems and processes. But recently, attention has started drifting towards AI’s potential quick wins, or, depending on your view, towards fears of AI spiralling into chaos, perhaps even rewriting planning policy like the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) all on its own.

The promise of AI in planning

Amid this mix of hype and hesitation, what could AI genuinely offer the planning system? Could it help speed up the long, slow slog of digital transformation that’s already underway?

At its best, AI could release knowledge currently held only in the heads of built environment professionals or buried deep in PDFs and legacy software. It could give residents and community groups smarter, more creative tools to engage with local planning, making their involvement more meaningful and professional. It could help connect data across different disciplines such as planning, surveying, engineering, and architecture, bringing greater efficiency and collaboration to development projects.

Where along the planning journey might AI make the biggest impact in the coming months and years? And how should planners, government bodies, and regulators prepare to adopt AI while protecting against its well-known pitfalls, like biased training data or ‘hallucinations’ where AI generates inaccurate results?

Smarter plan-making with AI

A typical starting point in planning is the call for sites, where councils invite suggestions for potential development land. Currently, developers often dominate the process, presenting data that suits them and overwhelming local authorities. However, with the increasing volumes of open data hosted on the DLUHC planning data platform, there is an opportunity to transform this process.

AI could run a national, live call for sites using geospatial data to assess infrastructure, land ownership, planning policies, and transport links, giving councils a fairer and more useful baseline to work from.

Massive evidence studies, often packed with unread appendices, are another area ready for AI innovation. Even in the short term, AI can help analyse methodologies, spot inconsistencies, and support more standardised approaches. Updated guidance (like new Planning Practice Guidance) could then reinforce these improvements across the board.

AI could also support planners by acting as a multi-agent system, where each AI agent represents a specialist like transport, green infrastructure, heritage, or housing. These ‘virtual experts’, trained on planning policy and data, could work with human planners to model site allocations or test policy ideas. The planner’s role would shift toward directing these AI agents, setting their rules and guiding the debate.

Rethinking public engagement

For many people, engaging with a Local Plan or planning application feels like knocking on a locked door. But AI could help change that by translating technical jargon into plain English. This would make it easier for residents to understand what’s being proposed and how it affects them, encouraging more informed and inclusive participation.

Generative AI tools can also help visualise plans and proposals in 3D or simulate possible outcomes. Communities could even use these tools to sketch out their own design codes or propose local masterplans, giving them more influence in shaping their neighbourhoods.

Imagine running community consultations where AI-driven virtual agents simulate different perspectives, from young parents to older residents or underrepresented voices. These simulations could help planners understand needs across the community and develop better, more inclusive questions for real-life consultations. This kind of parallel, AI-powered engagement would be a powerful complement to traditional methods.

Balancing risk and reward

AI’s potential in planning is huge, but it isn’t without risk. Our planning systems weren’t built with digital tools in mind. Many processes are still heavily reliant on paper, or at best on inconsistent digital practices (like unclear PDF labelling). Until these habits shift, new tech will struggle to take root.

One major concern is bias in the data used to train AI. If past decisions reflect inequality or missing voices, those problems could be baked into future outputs. Ensuring that data is diverse, accurate, and inclusive is essential if AI is to work for everyone.

Another challenge is the sheer scale of information AI can generate. Without proper filters, planners could find themselves swamped with conflicting insights, especially when dealing with contentious issues. Clear strategies will be needed to manage the information flood.

Transparency is also critical. People need to understand how decisions are being made. If AI tools are seen as black boxes, public trust will crumble. Steps are being taken, such as the Planning Inspectorate publishing guidance on using AI in appeals and applications, but more clarity is needed.

Finally, there's the risk of unconscious bias from developers building these tools. The assumptions they embed, often unintentionally, can shape decisions in subtle but significant ways. The design of AI tools must include a range of voices that reflect the diversity of the communities they aim to serve.

Partnering for progress

To make AI work for planning, digital transformation must be built on solid partnerships. Planners need to work with digital specialists who understand technology, ethics, and user experience. Together, they can design systems that are inclusive, secure, and compliant with regulations.

Good digital partners will strip away the mystery around AI, helping planning teams understand how to use it effectively. They’ll provide training, guidance, and support, empowering planners to make the most of the technology while keeping the public interest at the centre.

These collaborations will help develop innovative tools tailored to local needs, building trust and delivering better planning outcomes for all.

Shaping the future of planning

AI offers a rare opportunity to fix some of planning’s long-standing issues. Used responsibly, it can help rebuild public trust, empower communities, and make planning faster, fairer, and more transparent.

But success depends not on the technology itself, but on how we choose to use it. Planners must adopt these tools thoughtfully, ensuring they amplify public voices, not silence them. With the right digital partners, AI can become a powerful force for good.

This isn’t just about adopting new tech. It’s about building a future where planning works for everyone. Let’s start that journey together.

We’ll be exploring how and where AI can have a real, practical impact on the UK’s planning system at our upcoming Digital Forum on 3 July. Register to attend now to make sure you don’t miss out. 

This article is based on a piece by Stef and Kate written for Planning in January 2025