Planning applications
Planning Portal is built to support your end-to-end planning journey. Our digital platform provides guidance and tools to help you understand what's possible, prepare your application, reduce common errors, and submit with confidence.
Most applications are submitted online, and you can apply to every local authority in England through Planning Portal. The benefits are simple:
- Step by step guidance to help you understand what information you need to provide
- Improved supporting document guidance and tagging to help you provide the right documents in the right way
- AI-assisted guidance to help you describe your proposal more clearly
- Site-specific information to identify planning constraints and potential supporting document requirements
- Integrated CIL questions to help you provide the information required
- Smarter completeness and readiness checks to help identify missing information and common errors before submission.
Find out more information on the planning journey, how to apply, and the decision-making process in the guidance below.
Start a planning application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/landing-page)
Start a planning application
How to apply
Find out ways to apply, choosing your application, how much it costs and what you need to submit.
Explore (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/how-to-apply)
Explore
The decision-making process
Find out about the application process, how they are processed, how long it will take to get a decision and what to do if your application is refused.
Explore (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/the-decision-making-process)
Explore
Further information
Planning constraints (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/planning-constraints)
Planning constraintsSupporting document types (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/supporting-document-types)
Supporting document typesApplication guide (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/application-guide)
Application guideConsent types (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/consent-types)
Consent typesPaper forms (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/paper-forms)
Paper formsCommunity Infrastructure Levy (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/policy-and-legislation/CIL)
Community Infrastructure LevyOne connected planning journey
Planning Portal supports your whole journey, from discovery through to submission. Our tools provide technology that gives you greater certainty earlier in the process, better application preparation, and fewer avoidable delays.
Common planning questions
Browse our frequently asked questions below to learn more about the Planning Portal application process. We've answered the most common queries to explain the different tools involved and the supportive guidance available to support you throughout each step your planning journey.
Buy a site plan
Most planning applications require a location plan and a site plan. You can create a location plan as part of your online application, and you can purchase a site plan via our accredited supplier, ReQuestaPlan.
Find a professional
The Planning Portal has teamed up with quality service providers who can help you to find a professional and begin moving your project forward.
Fee calculator
Volume calculator
Calculate the volume for common types of house and loft extensions. This can help to determine if planning permission is needed.