Artificial intelligence and satellite habitat mapping will be used by the government to speed up planning proposals and combat NIMBYism.

Natural England is building a map called Living England to track how habitats across the country are changing.

The government says the more efficient use of satellite images and machine learning should accelerate decisions around planning and land use.

“Nature restoration, development and economic growth are not opposing forces – they can and must work together to create a sustainable future for both people and wildlife,” says Natural England’s chief scientist Professor Sallie Bailey.

“Our Living England project is harnessing the power of AI to inform and support planning decisions far more efficiently. This means we can make the biggest impact for nature recovery, while helping to deliver the new homes and infrastructure the country needs,” says Bailey.

It’s one of 13 examples unveiled by the government for how AI and algorithmic tools could increase efficiency and improve public services. A new AI Playbook has been published to help organisations implement the technology into their services.

The timely announcement comes as world leaders gather for the AI Action Summit taking place in Paris this week and follows the UK’s publication of its AI Opportunities Action Plan.