AI-Powered Planning Application Decision Support System

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government seeks a planning decision support tool using augmented intelligence to accelerate the processing of planning applications in England. The solution will initially focus on householder developments, with expansion into other application categories that represent 69% of all planning applications. The goal is to reduce processing times from 8+ weeks to approximately 4 weeks, excluding statutory consultation periods, site visits, and external consultee responses. The tool must assist planning officers with administrative tasks (policy research, report generation) and analytical processes (identifying material considerations, assessing policy compliance, evaluating planning balance, and providing reasoned recommendations). Solutions must integrate with existing planning systems and be capable of supporting up to 317 Local Planning Authorities, the Planning Inspectorate, National Parks Authorities, and other planning bodies across England. Bidders must participate in a two-week unpaid demo build phase to develop a working prototype for evaluation at Demo Day. The procurement is being managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on behalf of MHCLG.