The CEO of TerraQuest, the company operating Planning Portal, has welcomed the backing from the Chancellor at his Spring Budget for the wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the planning system, but has said that high-quality data is crucial to its success.
Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest, commended plans outlined in the Budget Red Book, which accompanies the Chancellor’s speech, including commitments to use AI solutions to help planning authorities streamline local plan development, as well as implementing new software to streamline key processes for planning officers.
“The further development of AI solutions and new software should be the biggest priorities for improving the planning system,” said Geoff. “Indeed, we have already delivered substantial efficiency improvements to the industry with the ongoing development of Planning Portal and the implementation of our modular KeyChain platform.
“AI is extremely important to accelerating good decision making, as well as meeting wider housing and economic needs. However, the development and implementation of robust data standards across the sector is crucial to being able to maximise the impact of AI and new software solutions. AI tools need to be able to learn from robust and comprehensive datasets. If certain data is systematically excluded, biases will inevitably emerge. Data standards must ensure that information is collected and stored in ways that are up-to-date, consistent, detailed and interoperable across different platforms.
“Planning Portal has already delivered huge improvements in the validation and standardisation of application data. Government policy should now build on this to ensure the availability of high-quality data that allows the industry to enjoy the full benefits of AI.”
The KeyChain platform underpins Planning Portal, which TerraQuest operates as a joint venture with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and enables a streamlined online application system that integrates with the back-office systems of local planning authorities.
As well as announcements relating to the use of AI and software, the Budget also contained a commitment to match industry-led funding of £3 million for planning capacity and resourcing.
“This is an important step forward”, added Geoff. “But it is vital that local planning authorities are enabled to takeimmediate steps to deal with backlogs. Further support for that in a future Budget would be welcome.” TerraQuest is already supporting local planning authorities through its Planning Application Validation Service (PAVS), which helps speed up processes by validating new applications within just 24 to 48 hours. Meanwhile, its Planning Application Case Evaluation Service (PACES) offers an expert team of case officers to assist with the evaluation and determination of planning applications cases.
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