Help
Welcome to our help section. Here you can use the signposts below to find guidance on how to submit an online planning application, FAQs, planning glossary, useful links and contact information for Planning Portal departments and Local Authorities.
Our Service Desk
Please note: The Planning Portal is an online application service based in Bristol. We are not part of any council and do not have a planning department so cannot offer planning advice. Therefore, if you need planning advice or are unsure which form you need to submit, please contact your local council’s planning department. Their contact details can be found by using our search tool.
Find your Local Planning Authority (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)
Find your Local Planning AuthorityCommon questions
Planning applications
How do I set a new password to log in to the new Planning Portal?1
My address is missing / Site location has no postcode2
How can I view my applications?3
I am unable to calculate my fee4
Can I print/export applications?5
Can I amend a submitted application?6
How do I change my registered email address?7
I'm applying online and can't find the form I need8
I cannot complete the ‘'Upload plans and documents' section of my application9
How do I use the Projects feature?10
Do I need planning permission?11
Paying for an application
How much does a planning application cost?12
Why is there a service charge for submitting planning applications?13
How can I pay for a planning application?14
How do I nominate someone to pay?15
I have paid for my application, why is it still showing in ‘draft’?16
How do I know that a request for payment of an application is genuine?17
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/new-service-reset-password
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/site-location-has-no-postcode
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-can-i-view-my-applications
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/i-am-unable-to-calculate-my-fee
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/can-i-print-export-1app-applications
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/can-i-amend-a-submitted-application
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-do-i-change-my-registered-email-address
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/i-m-applying-online-and-can-t-find-the-form-i-need
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/completing-upload-plans-and-documents
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-to-use-the-projects-feature
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/do-you-need-permission/do-i-need-planning-permission
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-much-does-a-planning-application-cost
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/why-is-there-a-service-charge-for-submitting-planning-applications
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment/how-can-i-pay-for-a-planning-application
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment/how-do-i-nominate-someone-to-pay
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/i-have-paid-for-my-application-why-is-it-still-showing-in-draft
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/services-and-information/how-do-i-know-that-a-request-for-payment-of-an-application-is-genuine
Making an online planning application
Paying for an online planning application
Read our FAQs to find advice about making a payment for your application.
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment
After submitting your application
Find out how to get an update on the progress of your submitted application.
How do I view progress on an application?1
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-do-i-view-progress-on-an-application
Planning permission
How to find out if you need planning permission.
Browse our common projects advice1.
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects
Building control applications
FAQs to help with submitting your building control application.
Building Control application help1
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/building-control
Find out if you need building regulations approval
Browse our common projects to find out about building regulations for home improvement projects.
Read building regulations advice1.
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects
Help contacts
For planning advice and to find out the progress of a planning application:
Contact your Local Planning Authority (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)
Contact your Local Planning AuthorityFor building control advice and to find out the progress of a building control application:
Contact your Local Authority Building Control Department (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/find-your-LABC)
Contact your Local Authority Building Control DepartmentFor Planning Portal website support - accessing your account, completing the online form or our complaints process:
See contact details and information (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/contact-the-planning-portal)
See contact details and information
FAQs
Got a question? The chances are it has been asked before! Find the answers to frequently asked questions from our information bank
Planning glossary
Browse through the definitions of hundreds of planning terms using our A-Z planning glossary.
Useful links
Find your Local Planning Authority
Use our search tool to find the contact details of the planning department at your local council.