Facing immense pressure to construct 5,400 new homes by 2041, Forest of Dean district councillors are exploring a radical solution: artificial intelligence. The council, already tasked with building 6,600 homes under its 2021-2041 plan, saw its mandate explode after the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government imposed new, mandatory targets. This effectively doubled their workload, forcing them to identify locations for a staggering 12,000 properties in total.
Council Leader Adrian Birch revealed that an AI company has been commissioned for a research project to assess the viability of using AI in the decision-making process. The goal is to expedite the process and ensure accuracy. “If we can trust the AI to get it right then we will look at whether that is a feasible option,” Birch stated.
Previously considered options, like a garden town near Churcham and a settlement near Redmarley, are back on the table as the council scrambles to find suitable locations. The AI will initially analyze public responses from last summer’s local plan consultation, with the council comparing the AI’s findings to their own analysis. Any doubts about the AI’s reliability will trigger a review.
The council has unanimously voted to review its local plan and explore alternative strategic options for housing, leaving the future of housing development in the Forest of Dean potentially in the hands of artificial intelligence.