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Aipedia: Planning consultants
Planning consultants can use AI in applications, appeals and examinations, but any substantive use in evidence to the Planning Inspectorate must be declared, and the party stays responsible for accuracy. Improper use can lead to a costs award, which turns an AI error into a direct financial loss.
Part of: AI in Planning consultants
In short
There is no statutory regulator for planning consultants and no confirmed RTPI rule on AI. The binding practical rule is the Planning Inspectorate guidance on AI in casework evidence, first published on 6 September 2024 and updated on 23 September 2026. It requires parties to declare AI used to draft or rewrite text, summarise or analyse, or generate or alter images, to describe checks made and to confirm responsibility for accuracy. Improper use may be unreasonable behaviour and lead to costs. PI is not compulsory by statute but is commonly a client requirement, and AI errors usually fall to be dealt with as ordinary professional negligence claims.
AI can now play a part in planning work. Consultants may use generative AI chatbots and AI assistants to draft planning statements, summarise local plan policy, search appeal decisions, screen sites for constraints, analyse consultation responses and prepare first drafts of statements of case and proofs of evidence. Visualisation tools can generate or alter images of a proposal. On larger schemes, AI can help manage the volume of documents in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) examinations.
Public bodies are moving too. In June 2025 the government announced Extract, an AI assistant that turns old planning documents and maps into data. Pilots with Hillingdon, Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Exeter councils took about 3 minutes per record against 1 to 2 hours manually, according to the government press release. It was expected to be available to all councils by spring 2026, with councils digitising all planning documents by the end of 2026. Consultants may increasingly work from machine-read planning histories, which brings its own accuracy risks.
Planning consultancy has no statutory regulator. Three sources shape how AI may be used:
The guide to the Planning Inspectorate AI declaration explains each element of the PINS guidance in detail.
Parties must declare intentional AI use to draft or substantially rewrite text, produce a summary or analysis, generate or alter images or videos, or create content beyond formatting. The declaration states that AI was used, what for and how (with paragraph, section or appendix references), describes the checks made, and confirms responsibility for accuracy. It can sit in a covering letter or within the statement or proof itself.
Spellcheck, grammar, formatting and accessibility tools need not be declared. Each expert should declare for their own documents; a single catch-all declaration is unlikely to be enough. AI cartoons or exaggerated illustrations of a proposal are discouraged. Most importantly for consultants, improper AI use may be unreasonable behaviour leading to an award of costs, and inspectors may ask for clarification.
No PINS decision, costs award or RTPI disciplinary outcome specifically about AI misuse by a planning consultant had been found as at October 2026. The risk is real all the same, because the guidance itself warns about fake AI-generated material.
There is no statutory PI requirement for planning consultants, and no RTPI PI rule was verified. PI is usually required by clients or contracts. Consultants regulated by RICS must meet the RICS PII Requirements v11 (1 July 2025).
A claim arising from AI-assisted work is usually treated like any other negligence claim: the question is whether the consultant fell below the standard of a reasonably competent planner, not which tool was used. Cover depends on the wording, the activities declared to insurers and any AI-specific terms. A costs award against a client, recovered from the consultant, raises harder questions about causation and fines or penalties exclusions; whether PI responds depends on the wording, and no insurer statement on the point was found. Apex's planning consultants PI guide covers limits, run-off and claims, and planning PI claims examples shows how disputes typically arise.
Apex arranges PI for planning consultants, from sole practitioners to multidisciplinary practices. A broker can review your cover and how your policy treats AI-assisted work, including costs exposure in appeals. See PI broking for planning consultants.
Yes, where AI was intentionally used to draft or substantially rewrite text, produce a summary or analysis, or generate or alter images or video. The declaration says what AI did and where, describes the checks made and confirms responsibility for accuracy. Spellcheck, grammar, formatting and accessibility tools are exempt.
No RTPI AI rule or guidance has been confirmed as at October 2026. The Code of Professional Conduct, in force from 1 February 2023, does not mention AI, though its general standards still apply. The RTPI published a blog on professional standards and ethical uses of AI in August 2026, which suggests work is under way.
Not by statute, and no RTPI PI rule was verified. Clients, developers and public bodies commonly require it in contracts. Planning consultants regulated by RICS must hold PI meeting the RICS PII Requirements v11, in force from 1 July 2025.
Usually the claim is treated as ordinary professional negligence, so a standard civil liability wording commonly responds, subject to its terms. Check for AI-specific exclusions, whether your declared activities match what you do, and how the policy treats costs awards and penalties.
Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a PI quote Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
