Question 1

Where can I search planning applications across the UK?

Accepted Answer

Use the Maplify Planning Applications Database to search records collected by a live aggregation of local-authority records. Filter by recent applications, an authority, development description, planning status or a postcode radius. The underlying data comes from councils and other planning authorities as aggregated by the data service, and coverage is not necessarily exhaustive.

Question 2

Is the database live and updated automatically?

Accepted Answer

Each search requests records from the live planning data service at the time you search rather than showing a fixed list copied into the page. The original authority may have published an update that has not yet reached the aggregator; the council planning register remains the authoritative source.

Question 3

Can I find new planning applications submitted this week?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The initial view searches applications with a recorded start date in the last seven days, and you can widen it to 30 or 90 days, a year or all available dates. The recorded start date is usually derived from received or validated dates, so it is not guaranteed to be the exact submission date.

Question 4

Can I filter for approved, refused and pending applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Search using application status categories including Undecided, Permitted, Conditions, Rejected and Withdrawn. These classifications are derived from the source record and can be out of date or ambiguous. Always check the decision notice and current council register.

Question 5

Can I search for planning applications close to a postcode?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enter a valid full UK postcode and choose a search radius. Results are location-matched to records that the data provider has geocoded. Records without coordinates, or projects spanning large sites, can be omitted from the radius result.

Question 6

Can I find a planning application by reference number?

Accepted Answer

You can enter a complete application reference in the dedicated reference field, which uses the source API’s exact-identifier search. The same reference format may be used by multiple authorities, so include a council where appropriate.

Question 7

Do you link to the council planning portal and supporting drawings?

Accepted Answer

When the record includes an official authority record URL, Maplify links directly to it. Available document, comment and map links from the authority are displayed in the expanded application record. Some councils do not publish every detail through the aggregator.

Question 8

Can I see all planning applications in the UK?

Accepted Answer

No single aggregated service guarantees every application or every latest decision at all UK authorities. The index covers many councils, but completeness, geocoding and freshness vary, and some authorities can be delayed or missing. A search returning no records is not proof that no applications exist.

Question 9

Is this database free to search?

Accepted Answer

The public database search and expandable application summaries are free to browse. The wider Maplify mapping and property research workspace requires an account, and some location searches or reports use credits.

Question 10

Can planning history predict whether my application will be approved?

Accepted Answer

Historic decisions can be useful context, including refusal reasons and imposed conditions, but applications differ in design, site characteristics, policy and timing. An approval on a nearby property does not create an automatic right to obtain permission.

Question 11

What is the difference between application status and a planning decision?

Accepted Answer

A status such as Undecided describes the aggregated state at the time the source was checked. The original decision notice, conditions, appeal outcomes and later amendments determine the formal planning history; do not rely solely on a status badge.

Question 12

How can I research constraints affecting a planned development?

Accepted Answer

After locating an application, use Maplify’s map to investigate the actual site against available Green Belt, heritage, conservation, Article 4, flood and other planning constraints, and compare planning decisions nearby.

UK planning applications database — live search and decisions

Search applications

Recently submitted, pending and decided applications

Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for erection of a single storey side extension.

Erection of first floor front, side and rear extensions.

Discharge of Conditions Application for DC/25/03155 - Condition 5 (Roofing Materials)

Vehicle access

Proposed single storey rear extension, single storey front extension, loft conversion with dormer, & garden outbuilding

Erection of a rear outbuilding with 4no. rooflights following demolition of the existing garage

Single storey rear extension with a proposed depth of 5.00 metres, maximum height of 3.00 metres and eaves height of 3.00 metres.

G1 - Goat Willow - Remove 3x fallen trees to ground level

Single storey rear extension following demolition of the existing conservatory. New front porch with pitched roof. Roof extension involving hip to gable, rear dormer window with juliette balcony, 1no. front facing rooflight and side gable windows

Roof extension involving hip to gable, rear dormer window, 2no. front facing rooflights and new side gable window

5 x Scott’s pines -Dead - Fell

T4 - Lime - Removal of one low branch

Lawful development certiticate for existing use as a small HMO (6 bed max)

T267 - Weeping Poplar - Removal of the failed branch, Removal of any associated hanging material, Removal of deadwood

Single storey rear infill extension

T1 - Lawson cypress - Reduce down in height by 4m from the top down. Ensuring that all cuts are brought back to viable growth points.

T1 - Holm oak - Remove x3 primary branches growing in a S direction towards the property.

X 6 - Scots Pine - Fell

T4 - Ash - Fell (T4 in TWA P/25/05301)

Proposed first floor rear flat roof extension to create new cold room and food storage to the ground floor restaurant/takeaway

following removal of conservatory proposed rear single storey extension and Enlargement of roof for further habitable rooms. Front and rear dormers, balconies/Privacy screening and changes to fenestration. Changes to external materials and PV array arrangement on the roof.

Works to Norway Maple Tree

Installation of 1no. 9m telecommunication pole

Understand what a planning application means for the actual land

Plan a site-specific investigation

How to search the UK planning application database

1. Choose what to search

2. Compare status and details

3. Verify at the authority

Connect planning history to the actual site.

Planning applications database: frequently asked questions

Sources, coverage and limitations