There is a Danish saying, made famous by Niels Bohr: “Never try to predict anything, especially the future”. Then there is the Prussian military adage: “No plan survives first contact with the enemy”. Planning is tough.
Especially in the UK, where every council prides itself on having created its own set of planning regulations (“design codes”). Technically, yes, there is a national policy. But if all UK counties were all the same, then they wouldn’t be different, would they?
Anyone involved in UK planning must navigate an intricate web of local planning codes—keeping up with ever-evolving regulations that require deep, specialized knowledge. That’s challenging enough, but for developers looking to build the same project—like a new type of eco-house—across different regions, the process becomes even more unpredictable. No two planning approvals are ever the same. And if a development crosses county lines? The complexity multiplies.
That’s why Dedoctive’s first product, Place CoPilot, was born. We teamed up with DigitalUrban to create a tool that simplifies design codes, allowing you to ask questions—any questions—without the headache. Whether simple or technical, broad or highly detailed, in any language, Place CoPilot helps you get the answers you need, fast.
Today, Dedoctive’s CTO Peter Lawrence spoke about Place CoPilot at Public Sector AI Week 2025. Check out the recording of Peter’s talk here and for more information, take a look at the video demo here.
We’re on a mission to make information accessible to everyone. We started with design codes because the planning application process is notoriously complex—long overdue for a modern, streamlined approach—and the urgency for new housing in the UK, especially affordable homes, has never been greater. With the population set to grow from 67 million in 2021 to over 74 million by 2036, alongside an ageing demographic and rising first-time buyer age, the need for smarter, faster housing solutions is critical.
To see what other information we’ve been demystifying, watch this space.
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