Link to our content and services

The Planning Portal offers content based on national planning and building control legislation and guidance, along with information on related activities and projects.

Our online services include interactive guidance, calculation tools, professional directories, and features that support online applications, such as mapping and payment products.

We recommend that your local authority links to the Planning Portal’s tools and resources, ensuring your customers have access to current and accurate information.

Benefits of linking to Planning Portal content:

• All content is free to access
• Saves time in handling enquiries
• Eliminates the need to update your website content, as our information is always current
• Enhances the quality of applications
• Raising awareness of our commercial services supports the Planning Portal's ability to provide ongoing benefits
• Services available on your website enable easy emailing of links to customers for more efficient service
• Strong, concise content promotes online application services, leading to fewer customer queries

Further guidance for improving your pages: 

• Advice for linking to our Building Control Portal¹
• Practical website guidelines² 
• Our LPA links document³

How can you optimise your content?

• Check your ‘make an application’ pages have clear messaging and directions for applicants 
• Adding a section which covers the benefits of applying online which highlights the efficiencies and savings 
• Remove information directing users to pay for their applications - this is part of the online application process 
• Avoid mention of email submission 
• Review your content and links every six months to ensure they are relevant and up-to-date  

It is also incredibly important to ensure that your details are correctly listed on our website. This can be done via LPA Admin. Please read our guidance on updating your LPA contact details⁴. 

1. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/Building_Control_Portal_Link_Best_Practice.pdf
2. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/Best_practise_website_guidelines.pdf
3. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/lpalinks.pdf
4. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/lpa-guidance_contact-and-information-update.pdf