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Otto365 AI Brief #039

Google: PlanAssist checks your extension plans before an officer decides

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Published 3 Nov 2026, 17:30 UK
By the Otto365 AI Brief. The script was drafted with AI assistance, and every claim was checked against the sources below by our automated checks. Published on 3 Nov 2026 under the standing approval of Peter Ferguson, Editor.
Announced 31 Oct 2026
Voiced by AI

What happened

Google's PlanAssist could change how your extension gets through planning. Google DeepMind announced PlanAssist, its AI planning tool built with Gemini, for 12 more councils in England on the 31st of October 2026. It does routine checks on householder applications, up to 70% of officers' workloads, and drafts the report.1

Three things to know

Validate, check, draft First, it validates documents and drawings, checking everything required was submitted. It checks heritage constraints like tree preservation orders, local and national policy, and earlier objections. Then it drafts a cited report officers edit.1
58% less officer time Second, across Barnet, Camden and Dorset since June 2026, Google DeepMind says officer time on householder assessment tasks fell by up to 58%, and over 70% of reports were approved unedited.1
15 councils, all in 2027 Third, the rollout: a Beta over the next 12 months, 12 more councils in three cohorts, 15 in total. If testing succeeds, the government plans it for all English councils in 2027, each assessment approved by a qualified officer.1

Why it matters to you

Otto365's take (opinion)

So, my take. For builders, architects and extension firms, faster decisions could mean shorter waits, and a complete application matters more, because step one is an automatic check.1

Do this week

Try this: check every required document is attached before submitting.

Sources

Google DeepMind: Speeding up planning decisions with AI (opens in a new tab) Primary source, accessed 3 Nov 2026

The quotes we checked (20)

is to be made available to an additional 12 local planning authorities across England.
Google DeepMind · source 1
October 31, 2026 Responsibility & Safety
Google DeepMind · source 1
an AI planning tool that handles the heavy lifting of routine applications so officers can focus their expertise where it matters most
Google DeepMind · source 1
Built with Gemini, PlanAssist is part of Google DeepMind’s broader partnership with the UK government
Google DeepMind · source 1
giving planning officers automated support with processing applications and drafting assessment recommendations
Google DeepMind · source 1
Routine householder applications account for up to 70% of planning officers’ workloads.
Google DeepMind · source 1
First, it validates application documents and architectural drawings, checking that the required information has been submitted so the application can proceed.
Google DeepMind · source 1
Next, it checks the application against heritage constraints (such as tree preservation orders), and local and national planning policies.
Google DeepMind · source 1
It also checks whether any issues or objections have previously been raised, such as by local residents.
Google DeepMind · source 1
Finally, it drafts fully cited reports that can be edited by planning officers before they reach a final decision.
Google DeepMind · source 1
Since June, the tool has been piloted across Barnet, Camden, and Dorset councils
Google DeepMind · source 1
PlanAssist has shown it can cut the time planning officers spend assessing householder applications by up to 58%.
Google DeepMind · source 1
bring the average time a planning officer spent on householder assessment tasks down by 58%
Google DeepMind · source 1
more than 70% of the reports generated by the tool - including things like whether an application complies with local planning rules, or whether the applicant has submitted all required documentation - were approved by officers with no edits required.
Google DeepMind · source 1
PlanAssist is now moving into a 12-month Beta phase using live applications, starting with a subset of councils.
Google DeepMind · source 1
Twelve more councils will be onboarded in three cohorts, bringing the total involved to 15.
Google DeepMind · source 1
Subject to successful testing, the government plans for the tool to be made available to all councils in England in 2027, with every assessment reviewed and approved by a qualified planning officer before any decision is made.
Google DeepMind · source 1
ensuring planning officers retain the final say on every application
Google DeepMind · source 1
months of waiting on approval for something as simple as a loft conversion, conservatory, or extension
Google DeepMind · source 1
PlanAssist shows how AI can help cut backlogs and approve applications faster.
Google DeepMind · source 1

Full transcript

Sam: Otto! AI checks your extension before an officer decides!

Play from 0:04 Otto365: I know. Google DeepMind announced PlanAssist for 12 more councils in England on the 31st of October. Sam: What does it actually do? Otto365: An AI planning tool built with Gemini. It checks routine householder applications, then drafts the report.

Play from 0:18 Sam: So how does it check mine? Otto365: First, it validates documents and drawings, checking everything required was submitted. Sam: And the fiddly rules? Otto365: It checks heritage constraints like tree preservation orders, policy and earlier objections.

Play from 0:31 Sam: Does it save time? Otto365: Google DeepMind says officer time on householder assessment tasks fell by up to 58%. Sam: Any good, though? Otto365: That's pilots in Barnet, Camden and Dorset since June. Over 70% of reports were approved unedited.

Play from 0:47 Sam: When does my council get it? Otto365: A Beta over the next 12 months. 12 more councils join in three cohorts, 15 in total. Sam: And everywhere else? Otto365: If testing succeeds, the government plans it for all English councils in 2027.

Play from 1:02 Sam: So the robot approves my loft! Otto365: A qualified officer approves every assessment. My take: faster decisions could mean shorter waits for builders, and a complete application matters more, because step one is an automatic check. Sam: So the paperwork still wins.

Play from 1:20 Otto365: It always does. Try this: check every required document is attached before submitting.

Otto365: I'm Otto365.

Follow the Brief.

On screen

Play from 0:00: Otto365 AI Brief #039, Google, 31 Oct 2026; AI checks your extension before an officer decides; Your application; AI checks it; Officer decides
Play from 0:04: PlanAssist: 15 councils; Announced 31 Oct 2026; PlanAssist, built with Gemini; Validates documents; Checks heritage and policy; Drafts a cited report; Officer keeps final say; Source: Google DeepMind, 31 Oct 2026
Play from 0:18: Validate, check, draft; Check documents; Heritage, policy; Past objections; Draft report; Tree preservation orders; Local and national policy; Objections from residents
Play from 0:31: 58% less officer time; Pilots: Barnet and Camden, Dorset; Results: 58% less time, 70% no edits; 58% less time on assessments
Play from 0:47: 15 councils, all in 2027; Three pilots; 12 more in cohorts; 15 councils; All England 2027; Beta on live applications; Over the next 12 months; Qualified officer approves
Play from 1:02: A complete application; Backlog: Months of waiting; With PlanAssist: Automatic check, Officer final say; Validation check; Application documents; Architectural drawings; Required information
Play from 1:20: Check all required documents; Voiced by AI. Fact-checked against its sources. Apps 365 sells AI and Microsoft 365 services. Not endorsed by companies named.

Voiced by AI. Fact-checked against its sources. Apps 365 sells AI and Microsoft 365 services. Not endorsed by companies named. Report an error.

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