Straightforward planning applications, including loft conversions, extensions and small business premises changes, will be decided by expert planning officers rather than waiting for a committee slot, under a new National Scheme of Delegation announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The change took effect from Saturday 31 October 2026, the day after the source was published.

The department said 420 planners have been recruited through government-backed programmes, above the 2024 manifesto commitment of 300. A new AI tool, PlanAssist, developed with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local authorities, brings applications, policies and site constraints into one place for officers to review. Early testing cut time spent on key planning tasks by 58%, supporting a reduction in processing times for routine householder applications from eight weeks to four.

After trials in Camden, Barnet and Dorset, the tool will expand to a further 12 councils for 12 months, with the government intending to make it available to every council in England by the end of 2027. It will not be mandatory, and officers remain responsible for decisions. Householder applications account for nearly 70% of applications each year, according to the release.