The Labour Party has met its manifesto promise to bring in 300 new planning officers amid a looming deadline to build 1.5million new homes.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced that around 420 new planning officers have been hired through government supported schemes.
Despite the push, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner admitted geopolitical turbulence means Labour will be unlikely to deliver on their 1.5million news homes promise by the proposed deadline of 2029.
The ministry said on Friday the new recruits, which exceed the 300 new officers pledge, will help families and businesses obtain quicker decisions.
The extra officers could help to provide quicker answers for homeowners looking to extend or convert their loft, and small businesses improving their premises, the Government said.
Officials hope a new AI system, PlanAssist, could also cut admin for staff by bringing together applications, policies and site constraints in one place for planners to review.
Ms Rayner said: “Families wanting more space and businesses looking to grow shouldn’t be left waiting unnecessarily for straightforward planning decisions.
“We’re giving councils the people, tools and reforms they need to get applications moving faster, while freeing up planners and councillors to focus on the developments that will deliver the homes and infrastructure communities need.
“We’ve already beaten our manifesto commitment to recruit 300 planners, and we’re going further with 1,400 new recruits across the planning system by the end of this Parliament.”
Ms Rayner told the BBC last month that there was a “slim chance” the Government would meet its target of building 1.5 million homes in England by the next election, “but I’m definitely not giving it up”.
Rayner stressed that the government was “making a difference” regardless, thanks to investing billions in social and affordable homes.
She said it was important to keep the goal - which Rayner asserts had always been a “stretch target” - in place, but that she was “being honest with the public” that it would be difficult to achieve.
AI minister Kanishka Narayan said: “This is what putting AI to work for the public looks like in practice.
“By slashing the time spent on routine planning tasks by more than half, we’re helping families get quicker answers while freeing up skilled planners to focus on the major developments that will get Britain building.”
