What is ‘The Planning Portal’?

In the UK, planning applications are typically submitted to the local council, either online or in paper form. The Planning Portal is an online service provided by the UK government that allows individuals and organisations to submit planning applications and associated documents to local councils in England and Wales. 

It also provides a variety of resources and guidance for those wishing to submit an application, including information on the planning process, application forms, fee schedules, and national and local planning policies. 

Users can create an account on the Planning Portal, which allows them to save and track their applications, receive updates on their progress, and make payments online.

The Planning Portal also provides guidance on how to submit an application, what to look out for and the time it takes for a decision to be made by the local council.

The main features of the Planning Portal include:

1. Online application submission:

Users can submit planning applications and related documents online, including plans, drawings, and supporting statements.

2. Fee payments:

Users can make online payments for planning application fees through the portal.

3. Application tracking:

Users can track the progress of their application and receive notifications of any updates or decisions.

4. Guidance and forms:

The portal provides guidance on the planning application process and necessary forms for different types of applications.

5. Local authority information:

Users can access information about local authorities and their planning policies.

6. Support and advice:

The portal provides support and advice for users, including a help centre and contact details for local authorities.

7. Application history:

Users can view the history of their past applications and decisions.

8. Planning Policy:

Users can access and view the national and local planning policy guidance.

9. Virtual Agent:

Users can use the virtual agent (chatbot) to find quick answers to common questions.

10. Appointment scheduling:

Users can schedule appointments with local authorities to discuss their application or to submit it in person.

The Planning Portal provides a convenient and streamlined way for individuals and organisations to submit planning applications and track their progress.

However, the Planning Portal has its limitations:

• It does not offer services for Scotland or Northern Ireland, and it does not provide legal advice or representation. 
• It does not make decisions on planning applications, as that is the responsibility of local planning authorities. 
• The portal also does not cover all types of planning applications, such as some types of advertisement consents and conservation area consents which need to be applied for separately.

The Planning Portal allows members of the public to view and comment on planning applications that have been submitted to local councils in the UK. The portal provides access to information such as plans, drawings, and documents related to the proposal, as well as the ability to submit comments and view the decision made on the application. However, please note that the commenting feature may vary from local council to local council.

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