Making an online planning application

The Planning Portal allows registered users to create and submit applications online. Online submission of applications helps to facilitate a quicker and more responsive planning application service.

You can register with the Planning Portal by clicking on the ‘Log in¹’ button in the top right of any page on this website. When doing so you agree to our terms and conditions² of use.

The service is provided so that, in most cases, all parts of an application can be completed and submitted electronically – including payment, which can be made by various methods.

Continue through the sections in this guide to help you to submit your planning application.

Watch our walkthrough video and learn about how to complete an online planning application

Your rights and responsibilities

Please ensure that the information you submit is accurate and correct. Do not include personal information about third parties (including family members or sensitive information about an individual) unless you have told the individual concerned and they consent to it being supplied.

Online application best practice

Clear your browser cache before logging into the Planning Portal – this will ensure that the system loads the information into your application correctly and does not display any outdated information. Learn how to clear your browser cache³.

• Start a new session by going to https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app⁴ and logging in using the link in the top right corner of the page before starting an application or going to your application list.
• Name your application using the site address – this allows you to easily identify it later and helps the Local Planning Authority (LPA) identify your application when they receive it.
• Complete the forms in sentence case – normal upper and lower case writing with a capital letter at the start of each sentence – to aid the LPA in processing it.
• Archive your application once the LPA has received it. You can tell when the application has been received by the LPA as its status will change to ‘Received by LPA’.

Electronic Communications

We encourage users to always include their email address on the application form so that LPAs can communicate electronically throughout the process.

Please note: Where an application is made online, the applicant shall be taken to have agreed:

• for the LPA to use such communications for the purposes of the application;
• that the applicant’s address for those purposes is the address provided with the application; and
• that this agreement shall remain until the applicant gives the LPA written notice to stop using electronic communications.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/landing-page
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/terms-and-disclaimer/terms-and-conditions
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/my-application-isn-t-displaying-the-latest-saved-information
4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app