NatureScot is to begin using an artificial intelligence based planning decision support platform from Informed Solutions.
The advisory body for Scotland’s natural heritage will become the first organisation to use the company’s InformedDECISION platform as part of its efforts to support land management and planning.
It aims to harness previously under-used data on planning and protected areas through technologies such as AI and remote sensing to provide clear information and advice to land managers, developers and the public.
Informed Solutions said this will also help the organisation achieve more consistency in its decision making and 50% efficiency gains in key parts of the planning process.
The deployment has been funded through the UK government’s GovTech Catalyst Challenge, set up to explore how new technology can help solve public sector problems.
Nature emergency
Darrent Hemsley, NatureScot’s had of supporting good development, said: “Scotland is facing a nature emergency and protected areas have a vital role to play in helping us build resilience in the face of the climate change and biodiversity loss crises.
“We are committed to protect, restore, and value these special areas through evidence-based work with partners such as Informed Solutions. InformedDECISION’s ability to integrate land and environmental data with case history in real time, whilst providing immediate and tailored information for any specific site will be a great resource for land managers, developers and members of the public interested in their local protected areas.”
