Application Check is an optional feature integrated into Planning Portal’s online application process. It’s an AI-assisted check that reviews certain documents, plans, and drawings that are uploaded to support a planning application and checks for quality and completeness against national guidelines and best practice; such as north arrows, boundary requirements, scale bars, file names and tags, and document types. At launch, the tool checks the following document types:
\nOnce all supporting documents have been uploaded, you can choose to use the tool from the application overview, and when complete the result highlights any discrepancies, inaccuracies and omissions, and provides information on how to correct the issue, or an option to ignore the recommendation. This increases the likelihood of your application passing the local planning authority validation process and subsequently a smoother, quicker path to decision.
\nOur AI tool has been meticulously trained over different scenarios, lengthy trials and testing, to ensure your application meets requirements and you can submit with greater confidence.
\nHowever, AI can make mistakes. Therefore, any recommendations provided are to be treated as guidance only and not a definitive result or assumption that your application will pass local authority validation checks.
When a local planning authority receives an application, all the supporting information is reviewed against their validation checklist to ensure everything that is required has been provided; this process is known as ‘validation’.
\nMany planning applications submitted to local planning authorities are invalid due to missing documents and information, and the local planning authority cannot continue until the correct information is supplied and the application can be validated again. Read more about how applications are processed.
\nBy using Application Check before submitting a completed application, this final pre-submission assessment increases the likelihood that a planning application will be validated by the local authority upon receipt and reduce the need to provide additional information or correct errors; ensuring the application moves to the next phase as quickly as possible. Although the determination period doesn’t begin until the application is validated, adding unnecessary time and effort by having to provide further information causes delays overall.
\nUsually, it takes a few minutes for the check to complete, it may take longer for many documents.
\nUp to 30 documents within one application can be checked. If you have uploaded more supporting documents than this, the check cannot be used.
\nNo, the application will remain locked while the check is taking place, you can easily abandon the check if you wish to unlock your application to continue editing.
\nYes, you can ignore a recommendation, but we would advise that corrections are made before submitting your application.
\nAI errors can happen, and your local planning authority may also have additional local requirements in place. But this additional layer of automated assessment working alongside national guidelines and best practice will improve the chance of submitting a valid planning application.
\nNo, it’s not a mandatory step in the process. You can skip the Application Check option and continue to pay and submit the application.
\nNo, Application Check can only be used on a draft application prior to submission.
\nYou can run up to 3 checks per draft planning application.
\nThe Application Check uses AI to analyse uploaded documents. Occasionally, the tool may not identify certain elements correctly, such as a north arrow or scale bar. If this happens, you can either upload a clearer version of the document or choose to ignore the recommendation.
\nThe tool checks whether the number of scale bars shown in a document matches the number of scales referenced (for example, 1:500 and 1:1250). If a mismatch is identified, you can either upload an updated document or choose to ignore the recommendation.
\nIn some cases, the tool may be unable to identify a document successfully. This can happen if the document image quality is too low or the contents of the document is unclear. Also, where multiple drawings are on a single page. You can upload a higher-quality version of the document, split out into separate documents, or choose to ignore the recommendation.
\nThe tool uses AI to classify document types. Occasionally, it may confuse similar drawings, such as existing elevations and proposed elevations. If this happens, you can choose to ignore the recommendation.
\nThe tool only suggests additional document type tags that may be relevant to the document. It is not indicating that your existing tag is incorrect. You can add the suggested tags if appropriate.
\nAt launch, the tool only checks the following document types:
\nIt does not currently assess the requirement for Design and Access Statements, Heritage Statements, or other supporting documents.
\nAfter a check is completed, document filters are automatically applied to highlight documents that may require attention. To view all uploaded documents, clear the active filters.
\nThe document check may not be available if one of the following limits has been reached:
\nThe tool also considers relevant national validation requirements based on the information provided in the application. For example, roof plans may be recommended where roof works are included in the proposal description.
\nThe tool checks planning constraints associated with the location of the application site. Depending on the circumstances, it may recommend additional documents such as:
\nThe application is locked while a Application Check is in progress. You can submit the application once the check has completed or if you choose to cancel the check.
\nThe Application Check is intended as guidance only and does not determine whether an application can be submitted. You may choose to proceed with your application regardless of the recommendations provided.
\nYou can view the status of the Application Check in the banner displayed at the top of the screen.
\nTo cancel a Application Check, scroll to the top of the screen and select Cancel Check from the status banner.
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