AI to Aid Decision on 5,400 New Homes in Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean district council is running a trial with an AI company to help decide where to build 5,400 additional homes by 2041. The council is under pressure from the government to meet increased housing targets, having already planned to build 6,600 homes between 2021 and 2041.
Council leader Adrian Birch explained that the AI technology is being tested to see if it can be relied upon to speed up decision-making processes. The AI company has been tasked with assessing public responses to the council’s local plan consultation held last summer. The council will then compare their own analysis with the AI’s findings.
The need for additional housing comes after the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government increased the council’s housing target from 330 homes per year to 597 homes per year in summer 2024. Locations for the original 6,600 homes have largely been identified, with areas such as Lydney, Beachley, and Newent being earmarked for development.
The search for sites for the additional 5,400 homes has led to the revival of previous ideas, including the possibility of creating a garden town between the A40 and A48 near Churcham, and a new settlement off junction 2 of the M50 near Redmarley. The council has voted unanimously to review its 2021 to 2041 local plan and explore alternative strategic options for housing.
The use of AI in this process will be reviewed if any doubts arise about its effectiveness. This development comes as Gloucestershire considers becoming an AI ‘centre of excellence’ in other areas.
