Lewisham Council has identified more than 3,000 small sites with the potential for new housing after using an artificial intelligence-powered mapping tool to support future development across the borough.
The project, highlighted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to help unlock underused land and accelerate the delivery of new homes.
The digital mapping technology enables planners to identify small plots suitable for residential development, giving the council a clearer picture of available land while reducing the time needed to assess potential housing sites.
The initiative is designed to strengthen planning policy and support the delivery of much-needed homes in Lewisham.
The pilot demonstrates how digital tools and AI can help councils make better use of brownfield and infill sites, supporting the Government's wider ambitions to increase housing supply.
Officials say the approach could provide a model for other local authorities looking to identify housing opportunities more efficiently while making better use of existing urban land.
