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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

      How can I view my applications?1

      Can I amend a submitted planning application?2

      I'm applying for planning permission online and can't find the form I need3

      I cannot complete the ‘'Upload plans and documents' section of my application4

      Do I need planning permission?5

      Why do I get an error when uploading my biodiversity metric spreadsheet?6

      Can I access or download the location plan to share with a client before I submit my application?7

      Can I use the location plan I create as a site/block plan?8

      Do I have to use the location plan feature, or can I upload a plan like I did before?9


      Paying for an application

      How much does a planning application cost?10

      Why is there a service charge for submitting planning applications?11

      How can I pay for a planning application?12

      I have paid for my application, why is it still showing in ‘draft’?13

      1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-can-i-view-my-applications
      2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/can-i-amend-a-submitted-application
      3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/cannot-find-form
      4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/completing-upload-plans-and-documents
      5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/do-you-need-permission/do-i-need-planning-permission
      6. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/planning-applications/why-do-i-get-an-error-when-uploading-my-biodiversity-metric-spreadsheet
      7. 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
      8. 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
      9. 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
      10. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-much-does-a-planning-application-cost
      11. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment/why-is-there-a-service-charge-for-submitting-planning-applications
      12. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment/how-can-i-pay-for-a-planning-application
      13. 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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          Making an online building control application

          Read our step by step guidance on how to create an online building control 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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                    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 Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.

                                        The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.