Policy and Research • Small Sites AI

Using a proprietary geospatial AI we have found every small site for housing in London. This presents a massive strategic opportunity to deliver new homes where they're needed the most.

RCKa’s proprietary AI tool, which has been funded by a £100,000 grant from MHCLG through round give of the Geovation PropTech Innovation Fund, can assess an entire local authority area and find each and every small site that has the potential for development.

It has revealed that London alone has the capacity to deliver more than 850,000 homes across its suburbs, in the most accessible neighbourhoods, with negligible impact on local character and amenities.

Working will colleagues from Lewisham Counncil’s planning policy team, we have developed a strategy for the introduction of Local Development Orders which can pre-approve certain types of small site development across a neighbourhood or even an entire planning authority area, as recommended by the draft National Planning Policy Framework.

"Local planning authorities...are strongly encouraged to use Local Development Orders and Mayoral Development Orders, especially where this would support housing, regeneration, economic growth or environmental improvement."

Draft National Planning Policy Framework, December 2025

Using our tool we can assist LPAs with the development of area-wide small site planning policies; the creation of an evidence base for the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, or to help inform future decision-making around areas for intensification.

The government recognises the importance of the SME development industry in helping to meet the ongoing housing crisis, but that planning uncertainty is one of the most significant barriers they face. The adoption of proactive small site policies can help accelerate new housing, as well as reinvigorating regional economies through the use of local supply chains, providing jobs and training.

Councils—especially those outside major cities—are being expected to do more to deliver housing within existing settlements rather than building on open fields. Our tool can help identify strategic locations for intensification, and to guide development to the most sustainable locations, close to transport and social infrastructure.

The capacity of London's small sites is 850,000 homes

The December 2025 NPPF strongly promotes the idea of suburban intensification through proactive planning policies

The use of Local Development Orders is encouraged to pre-approve housing on small sites

Project Team
Anna Crew
Russell Curtis
Alan Beveridge
Emily Brown

Collaborators
Blocktype
London Borough of Lewisham

Project list