Faster Desktop Studies for Planning Consultants
Assess NPPF-relevant constraints, research local plan policy and prepare planning application evidence — all from one platform covering 265+ official UK datasets.
What Maplify Offers Planning Consultants
Maplify replaces hours of manual desktop study with a single planning constraints map covering 265+ official UK datasets. Quickly assess NPPF-relevant constraints — flood zones, heritage assets, ecological designations, Green Belt boundaries and Article 4 directions — for any site, then research local plan policy, neighbourhood plans and site allocations without leaving the platform.
Consultants use Maplify to prepare site location plans, constraint plans and sequential test evidence faster, so more planning applications get submitted with a stronger evidence base and fewer requests for further information from the local planning authority.
Why It Matters
A weak or incomplete constraints evidence base is one of the most common reasons a local planning authority requests further information, delaying a decision by weeks. Having every relevant designation checked and documented from official sources at the outset strengthens a submission and reduces the risk of a costly hold-up mid-application.
For a busy planning consultancy, the time saved per instruction also means more capacity to take on new clients without needing to add headcount purely to keep pace with desktop research.
Cost and Time Savings
Preparing a robust planning application supporting statement traditionally means checking flood maps, heritage registers, ecological designations and Land Registry boundaries across separate government websites, then manually compiling the findings into a report — often a half-day to full-day task per site. Maplify brings every one of these sources together on one interactive map, cutting that research time to well under an hour in most cases.
Across a caseload of dozens of instructions a year, that time saving translates directly into either lower client fees or higher throughput per fee-earner, without compromising the traceability of the underlying data.
How to Get Started
- 1
Search the site address or draw the application boundary on the map.
- 2
Switch on the constraint layers relevant to the NPPF policy areas engaged by the site.
- 3
Research local plan policy and site allocations for the same location.
- 4
Generate a constraints plan to attach to the planning statement or D&A statement.
- 5
Save the site to your workspace to track it through to submission.
This is general guidance, not professional or legal advice — confirm specifics with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
What's Included
Important Limitations
- Maplify is a screening tool — it supports but does not replace professional planning judgement or a full policy review.
- Local plan and site allocation data should be cross-checked against the relevant local planning authority's adopted documents.
- Constraint data reflects currently published designations and should be verified before submission.
Common Use Cases
Full Planning Applications
Build the constraints evidence base for a supporting planning statement.
Pre-Application Advice
Screen a site's constraints before a formal pre-app meeting with the local planning authority.
Appeals & Enforcement
Cross-check constraint claims made in a refusal decision or enforcement notice.
Site Promotion
Research site allocations and policy references to support a call for sites submission.
Related Use Cases
Maplify supports every stage of the property lifecycle — see how other professionals use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do planning consultants use Maplify for desktop studies?
Planning consultants search a site and instantly see every relevant planning constraint — Green Belt, flood zones, heritage designations, Article 4 directions and more — replacing a manual desktop study across multiple government portals with a single search.
Can Maplify help with sequential test evidence for flood risk?
Yes. Maplify shows Environment Agency flood zone mapping directly on the map, giving planning consultants the evidence base needed to prepare sequential and exception test assessments for planning applications.
Does Maplify cover local plan policy and site allocations?
Maplify surfaces housing allocations and site references from local plans alongside official constraint layers, helping consultants quickly understand a site's planning policy context.
How much time does a desktop study take on Maplify?
A constraints check that traditionally takes several hours across separate government websites can be completed in minutes on Maplify, letting consultants take on more instructions without adding junior staff time.
Can I generate a constraints plan for a planning application?
Yes. Generate a professional constraints map or A3 block plan directly from the platform, ready to attach to a supporting planning statement or design and access statement.
Is Maplify suitable for both small consultancies and large practices?
Yes. Maplify is used by sole-practitioner planning consultants and large multi-disciplinary practices alike, all working from the same official UK data sources.
Speed Up Your Next Desktop Study
Check planning constraints for any UK site in minutes, backed by official government data.