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Help

Welcome to our help section. Here you can use the signposts below to find guidance on how to submit an online planning application, drawing a site boundary and creating a location plan, FAQs, glossary of planning terms, 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 Authority

      Common questions

      Applying online

      All site boundary and location plan FAQs1

      Can I access or download the location plan to share with a client before I submit my application?2

      Can I use the location plan I create as a site/block plan?3

      Do I have to use the location plan feature, or can I upload a plan like I did before?4

      How much does it cost to use the location plan feature?5

      How do I set a new password to log in to the new Planning Portal?6

      How can I view my applications?7

      Can I amend a submitted application?8

      I'm applying online and can't find the form I need9

      I cannot complete the ‘'Upload plans and documents' section of my application10

      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

      I have paid for my application, why is it still showing in ‘draft’?15

      1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/site-boundary-and-location-plan
      2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/site-boundary-and-location-plan/can-i-access-or-download-the-location-plan-to-share-with-a-client-before-i-submit-my-application
      3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/site-boundary-and-location-plan/can-i-use-the-location-plan-i-create-as-a-site-block-plan
      4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/site-boundary-and-location-plan/do-i-have-to-use-the-location-plan-feature-or-can-i-upload-a-plan-like-i-did-before
      5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/site-boundary-and-location-plan/how-much-does-it-cost-to-use-the-location-plan-feature
      6. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/new-service-reset-password
      7. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-can-i-view-my-applications
      8. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/can-i-amend-a-submitted-application
      9. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/i-m-applying-online-and-can-t-find-the-form-i-need
      10. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/completing-upload-plans-and-documents
      11. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/do-you-need-permission/do-i-need-planning-permission
      12. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-much-does-a-planning-application-cost
      13. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/why-is-there-a-service-charge-for-submitting-planning-applications
      14. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment/how-can-i-pay-for-a-planning-application
      15. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/i-have-paid-for-my-application-why-is-it-still-showing-in-draft
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      Making an online planning application

      Read our step by step guidance on how to create an online planning application.

          Read the guidance
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          Paying for an online planning application

          Read our FAQs to find advice about making a payment for your application.


          Read our payment FAQs1.


          1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment
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            Site boundary and location plan

            Guidance on drawing a site boundary and creating a location plan 

                Read the guidance
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                Planning permission

                How to find out if you need planning permission.


                Browse our common projects advice1.


                1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects
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                  Building control applications

                  FAQs to help with submitting your building control application.


                  Building Control application help1

                  1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/building-control
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                    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.

                    1. 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 Authority


                      For 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 Department


                      For 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
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                        FAQs

                        Got a question? The chances are it has been asked before! Find the answers to frequently asked questions from our information bank

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                            Planning glossary

                            Browse through the definitions of hundreds of planning terms using our A-Z planning glossary.

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                                Useful links

                                Links to a huge range of planning and building-related organisations, bodies and services.

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                                    Find your Local Planning Authority

                                    Use our search tool to find the contact details of the planning department at your local council.

                                      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2023 Planning Portal.

                                      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2023 Planning Portal.