Celebrating Innovation through KTP with Exeter University

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme has supported over 14,000 projects during its 50-year history. Established to promote collaboration between academia and industry, it helps organisations bring research to life and apply new thinking to real-world problems. Since 1988, the University of Exeter has delivered over 150 successful KTP projects, and IEG Group is proud to be part of this history.

In 2020, we launched our first KTP with Exeter, focused on creating a data science-led tool to improve planning validation for Local Government. That initiative led to the development of AI Validator, a practical solution designed to reduce manual effort and bring efficiency to the planning process. Now in our second KTP with Exeter, we continue to refine and expand our AI capabilities while exploring future opportunities across the IEG Group.

Planning validation is a critical stage in the development process. Councils must review every application for completeness, compliance, and accuracy before progressing to assessment. This task, while necessary, is resource-intensive. Inconsistent submissions, complex guidance, and rising demand have increased the pressure on validation teams.

AI Validator addresses these challenges by automatically reviewing planning application documents. It checks for missing or invalid items, highlights potential errors, and supports the triage process. Councils using the tool have reported faster application checks, more transparent communication with applicants, and a better use of staff time. In some cases, validation effort has been cut by up to 40%.

Our work has always focused on solving problems with the right tools. While the recent popularity of AI models like ChatGPT has drawn attention to the field, our use of AI predates this boom. From the outset, we’ve prioritised model suitability, selecting techniques that fit the unique requirements of planning validation. This includes using interpretable algorithms, managing training data securely, and tailoring outputs to the workflows of Planning Officers.

We believe in responsible, transparent AI. Throughout the development of AI Validator, we’ve balanced performance with accountability. Rather than using large, black-box models without explanation, we prefer proven and maintainable methods. Every feature added is tested with real users and backed by clear reasoning.

Working closely with Exeter’s academic team, we continually review our models, explore new data science techniques, and improve functionality based on council feedback. Recent additions include more advanced natural language processing to detect nuanced issues in application documents, as well as early experiments in using image analysis to verify plan drawings.

Security is non-negotiable. All data is handled on a secure infrastructure, ensuring compliance with Local Government regulations and best practice in data governance. This matters because planning documents often include sensitive information, something AI systems must handle with care.

Following the success of our first project, we extended the partnership with Exeter in 2023 to explore new areas of opportunity. The second KTP builds on our existing work and takes it further, with goals including predictive analytics for turnaround times, image-based plan validation, and better integration with case management systems.

Our research group now includes experts from across disciplines, combining machine learning, user design, public sector knowledge, and data privacy expertise. By working together, we can create solutions that are both technically sound and operationally useful.

One emerging focus is the use of predictive models to support resource planning within validation teams. We can estimate how long an application is likely to take. In that case, councils can manage workloads more effectively and improve performance across departments.

Another area under investigation is explainability. As AI systems play a bigger role in decision support, we’re working to ensure that outputs can be audited, understood, and challenged when necessary. This is especially important in public services, where trust is key.

Our KTP work has delivered value beyond just the product. Councils involved in early trials have seen practical benefits in turnaround times and workload management. Planning officers report fewer errors reaching later stages of review and better communication with applicants. These improvements not only make validation faster but also support the broader goals of economic development and service improvement.

For us at IEG Group, the partnership has also built lasting in-house skills and capacity. Our teams now include data scientists with practical experience in planning regulation, working alongside developers and product specialists. The result is faster delivery, better innovation, and more relevant services for our customers.

We’ve also seen strong interest from other parts of the planning process, including consultancy firms and regional planning partnerships. The ability to apply data science across validation, enforcement, and strategic planning opens new doors, and we are actively exploring those directions.

Looking ahead, we plan to expand AI Validator into new areas. There’s potential to support environmental assessments, licensing reviews, and even broader regulatory checks. As local authorities face continued pressure to do more with less, the need for tools that genuinely reduce manual effort is only going to grow.

We also intend to make our AI systems more interactive, allowing users to flag incorrect outputs and provide training feedback in real time. This type of adaptive learning will help ensure that models remain accurate and helpful as regulations and practices evolve.

Collaboration remains key. Whether it’s through further KTPs, partnerships with new universities, or trials with forward-thinking councils, we’re committed to improving public services through applied AI that works in the real world.