How AI-powered planning tools could transform UK property

At The Property Edge, we’re always keeping an eye on emerging trends that could impact property investors and developers, not just today, but in the years ahead. A recent government announcement is one of those shifts worth paying attention to.

At London Tech Week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a major new AI-powered planning tool called Extract, designed to speed up planning decisions and boost housebuilding across the UK.

So, what is it? And why should you, as a property professional, care?

What Is “Extract” and Why Is It a Big Deal?

Extract is an AI assistant developed with Google DeepMind’s Gemini model. It can rapidly process planning documents, including handwritten notes, site plans and maps — and extract key data needed for planning officers to make decisions.

To put this into perspective, planning officers currently spend 60–120 minutes reviewing each file. Extract reduced that to just 3 minutes in early trials across three councils.

That kind of time saving could be revolutionary.

Why This Matters for Developers

If you’re in development, you know that planning delays cost time, money, and sometimes, the deal itself. This AI tool could change that.

Here’s how:

• Faster decisions: Reduces costly delays and holding costs

• More certainty: Digitisation reduces risk of human error or paperwork going missing

• Better forecasting: Quicker timelines make it easier to manage project cash flow and finance

• 
  

Imagine submitting a planning application and getting feedback in weeks instead of months. That changes how you structure deals, raise finance, and plan build phases.

How Could This Help Investors and Landlords?

Even if you’re not a developer, this tech could still affect you.

• HMO conversions, Permitted Development (PD) schemes, and Title splits all rely on planning.

• Faster feedback from councils means faster refinancing and potentially earlier income.

• For portfolio landlords or first-time investors, fewer barriers = more confidence to take action.

  
  

The Bigger Picture

This is part of a wider £1 billion government strategy to make public services “digital-first” and to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament.

The government wants to roll Extract out to all councils by 2026, helping clear backlogs and streamline the system nationwide. For our industry, it represents a long-overdue shift toward modernising planning, something many of us have been calling for.

Our View at The Property Edge

This isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s a shift in mindset.

If planning becomes quicker, we as professionals must be ready to move just as fast with:

• Well-prepared applications

• Digitally accessible plans and drawings

• Up-to-date knowledge of planning zones and permissions

  
  

At The Property Edge, we’re already helping our clients factor this into their strategy. As a coach, I often say: “Success is about being prepared before the opportunity arrives.” This is a prime example.

Takeaways for Property Professionals

• Start educating yourself now on how AI might impact the planning process

• Reassess your timelines and exit strategies — they may get shorter

• Position yourself to work with councils open to digital applications

• Stay connected — the landscape is changing fast, and being informed is your edge