Finding a planning application
You can use the Public Access website to find, view or comment on a current planning application or search for applications and decisions made since 1973.
For applications made since 2010, you may also be able to download plans, maps, decision notices, consultation responses and comments.
To track or comment on a live planning application on the Public Access website, you must register and create an account.
Before you start
You don’t need to register to:
- search for new planning applications received or decisions made
- find historical planning applications for a property or site
- see a map for a property or site
- download maps, plans and decision notices for planning applications from 2010 onwards
- download consultation responses and public comments on live applications
You do need to register to:
- track the progress of an ongoing planning application and get email updates of status changes on the application
- comment on an ongoing planning application
Search for a planning application
To find a planning application, you need to use one of the following:
- the planning application reference number
- the property address
- the map search tool
Commenting on a planning application
If you comment on a planning application, your comment, name and postal address will be published online for people to read. Your email address will not be published.
Any remarks or information considered as being derogatory or offensive in nature will be removed.
Privacy statement
To find out how personal information you send to the Planning Offices in the councils or the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) will be handled when using the Public Access website, go to:
Guide for using Public Access website
A helpful user guide is available which explains how to use the search, comment and track features of the site in more detail.
Search difficulties
If you are unable to find the planning application on the Public Access site or if you want a full planning history for a specific address or site, you should ask the planning office within the council. A fee may be charged for the full planning history.
Viewing documents
To see documents for a planning application, you might need to disable the pop-up blocker in your browser.
If you’re using Internet Explorer 8 or older, you should check that compatibility view is switched on.
Planning applications made before 2010
You can only see basic information online for planning applications made between 1973 and 2010. Copies of the plans, application forms or decision notices for these applications are not available online.
If you want to see these documents, you should ask the planning office in the local council. You might need to make an appointment to see the records.
Also, as these records have been migrated from legacy IT systems, there may be some errors on the Public Access site. If you think some information is missing for an application, you should ask the planning office in the local council.
Planning applications made since 2010
If you search online for planning applications made since 2010, you can see the map, plans and, if decided, the decision notice. You may also view the consultation responses and public comments for ongoing applications and on some decided applications, if they’re still available.
Reasons information can be withheld
Sometimes council planning offices or DfI withhold information on a planning application because of:
- confidentiality
- data protection
- national security
If this happens, you won’t be able to view the affected records online or in the council’s planning office.
Planning information for mineral excavations
To find information for mineral permissions before 1973, you should ask the planning office in the local council.
Copyright on planning information
Copyright protects plans, maps, drawings and other material sent with planning applications to the council or DfI. If the material is available online, you can download and print:
- for consultation
- to compare a current application with earlier applications
- to check a development complied with the planning permission granted
But you can’t make other copies without the copyright owner’s written permission.
Other ways to view planning applications
You can view planning applications and associated documents at the planning offices in the local councils. You can check the council’s website or contact them to ask about opening times, office locations or to check if an appointment is required.
Report a problem with Public Access
You can report any errors or technical problems with the Public Access site to the council’s planning office. If you come across the same error when viewing planning applications from different council districts, there is no need to report the error to each council. Instead include this information when reporting the incident to one of the councils.
Disclaimer
The information contained on the Public Access site does not mean in any way a formal notification of a planning decision. As such, any actions taken as a result of the information displayed on the site are undertaken entirely at the viewer's own risk.
The planning application records on the Public Access site must not be used as a substitute for a Regional Property Certificate. This includes details of historic applications on a particular site or for multiple addresses.
If you wish to get a full planning history for a particular site, you can contact the local council’s planning office. A fee may be charged for this service.
Further information on Regional Property Certificates is available at: