Planning Application Checker
Every planning application submitted to a local authority is a public record. Checking a property's planning history before buying reveals what has been built, what has been refused, and whether any enforcement notices exist — all of which can materially affect the value and development potential of the property.
Planning Portal — Find Applications Near You
Search for planning applications across England and Wales by address or postcode. View application details, decision notices, and site plans.
Search on Planning Portal →Find Your Local Council
Most local planning authorities maintain their own public planning register with more detailed local search tools. Find your council to access its full planning history database.
Find your council on GOV.UK →What to look for in a planning history
When reviewing a property's planning history, look for the following:
- –Approved extensions: The current floorplan may be larger than the original property footprint. Check whether extensions were built with permission, and whether any conditions on those permissions have been complied with.
- –Refused applications: Multiple refusals for the same type of development indicate a planning constraint. This is relevant if you are buying with development intentions.
- –Enforcement notices: An enforcement notice is a red flag. It means the local authority has found unauthorised development and required it to be remedied. Unresolved enforcement notices pass to new owners.
- –Conditions on approvals: Planning conditions bind the land, not the applicant. A condition requiring the use of specific materials or restricting opening hours applies to all future owners.
- –Change of use history: A property originally consented as commercial that has been converted to residential should have a change-of-use permission. If it does not, the conversion may be unauthorised.
Using planning history to assess development potential
For buyers interested in extending, converting, or developing a property, the planning history of both the target property and its neighbours provides valuable intelligence:
- –Repeated refusals for extensions or additional storeys indicate a likely constraint — check the reasons given in each decision.
- –Approved applications on similar neighbouring properties establish a precedent that may support your own application.
- –Pre-application advice from the local planning authority (usually a paid service) can give an informed steer before committing to a purchase or application.
- –Article 4 directions affecting the area may remove permitted development rights that would otherwise apply, requiring planning permission for works that are free of charge elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I check the planning history of a property?
- Use the Planning Portal to search for planning applications near any address in England and Wales. Alternatively, go directly to the local planning authority's website — most councils maintain a public planning register searchable by address or postcode. Applications typically include the decision notice, site plans, and any conditions attached to approval.
- Does planning permission transfer to a new owner?
- Yes. In England and Wales, planning permission runs with the land, not the person who applied for it. If a previous owner obtained planning permission for an extension or development that was not built, the new owner can generally implement that permission (subject to any time conditions). Your solicitor will confirm the status of any live permissions during conveyancing.
- What is an enforcement notice?
- An enforcement notice is issued by the local planning authority when unauthorised development has taken place — for example, an extension built without planning permission where permission was required, or a change of use carried out without consent. The notice requires the breach to be remedied within a specified period. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. Enforcement notices are a red flag in a planning history and should always be investigated before purchasing.
- Can I still build on land that has had planning applications refused?
- Yes. A planning refusal is not permanent. Circumstances change — planning policies are updated, new evidence can be submitted, or a revised scheme can address the reasons for the previous refusal. Repeated refusals for the same type of development do indicate a constraint, but many successful applications follow earlier refusals. A pre-application advice service offered by most councils can help assess viability before a formal application.
- How long does planning permission last?
- In England and Wales, standard planning permission lasts for three years from the date of the decision notice. Works must begin (a material start, not just groundwork) within those three years. Outline planning permission typically lasts three years, with reserved matters applications due within three years and works starting within two years of reserved matters approval. Always check the specific conditions on any permission.