DSIT issues £10M tender for AI-augmented planning tool to speed up decisions
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a £10M tender for a partner to build a planning tool that enables AI-augmented decision making for planning applications. The first use case is householder developments, with a wider rollout planned to the "other" application category, which accounts for 69% of all submissions.
The aim is clear: cut processing times from eight-plus weeks to around four, with a longer-term ambition of near-instant decisions for straightforward cases. The tool must plug into existing planning systems and serve multiple authorities across the UK.
Who the tool is for
- DSIT
- Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
- Local planning authorities, combined authorities, and national parks authorities
- The Planning Inspectorate
- Devolved administrations
Scope and goals
Initial focus: householder applications. After that, DSIT wants the tool expanded to support additional application types within the "other" category, which represents the majority of planning activity.
Operational goal: materially reduce case officer workload and turnaround time by assisting with policy research, citation generation, report drafting, and analytical review. The system should produce verified recommendations that support-rather than replace-professional judgment.
What bidders must demonstrate
- Deep grasp of planning workflows: from intake and validation through assessment, consultation, and decision.
- Capability across administrative tasks: policy research, citation generation, and report generation.
- Support for analytical processes: structured reasoning, evidence checks, and clear audit trails.
- Integration with existing planning systems and datasets; minimal disruption to current tools and schemas.
- Reliable, explainable recommendations that assist planning officers and preserve accountability.
- Participation in a two-week unpaid demo build, delivering a working prototype for a one-hour "demo day" presentation.
Procurement timeline and contract
- Enquiry deadline: 5pm, 5 November
- Request to participate deadline: 5pm, 21 November
- Estimated award date: 6 January (next year)
- Contract: 16 January 2026 to 16 May 2028
- Possible extension: to 16 May 2029 (total of three years and four months)
Why this matters for government planning teams
Typical housing development applications can run to 4,000 pages and stretch to 18 months from submission to decision. DSIT's direction is to shrink that workload and time horizon without compromising quality or due process.
If you run a planning service, this is the moment to prepare your data, governance, and change plans so you can benefit quickly once pilots start.
Practical steps to get ready
- Data readiness: map where policies, constraints, past decisions, and consultation data live; fix gaps and formats.
- Integration plan: identify your case management system, document stores, GIS layers, and APIs; define read/write needs.
- Governance: set decision rights, escalation paths, and audit requirements; agree how "verified recommendations" are documented.
- Assurance: line up DPIAs, security reviews, and equalities impacts; plan for FOI disclosure and versioned outputs.
- Evaluation: choose metrics-processing time, queue age, quality flags, overturn rates, officer satisfaction-and baseline them.
- Pilots: shortlist householder application types with clear rules and high volume to prove value fast.
- People: prepare training, role definitions, and feedback loops so officers stay in control and can trust the tool.
Link to the AI Growth Lab
Earlier this month, government outlined a regulated testing programme-an "AI Growth Lab"-so companies can trial AI in real-world conditions with certain rules relaxed. Planning approvals and housing are core candidates, with a stated goal of quicker decisions, less paperwork, and progress toward the 1.5M new homes target.
For background on DSIT and ongoing AI policy work, see the DSIT page on GOV.UK.
Bottom line
This tender is a push to make planning simpler, faster, and more consistent-without removing professional judgment. Teams that line up data, governance, and pilot candidates now will be first to see the benefits once procurement moves into build and test.
If your unit needs structured upskilling on practical AI use in public sector roles, explore role-based options at Complete AI Training.
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