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Straightforward UK planning guidance for homeowners, developers and planning professionals — plus practical help when you need it.

Start with a topic below, or search the site for a planning term, project, use class, GPDO right, appeal issue or policy question.

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Start with your project

Not sure what the planning terminology means yet? Start with what you are trying to do.

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Planning Applications

Applications, validation, timescales, certificates, prior approval and other routes through the system

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Common Projects

Extensions, outbuildings, fences, adverts, HMOs, solar panels and other everyday projects

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Permitted Development

The GPDO explained by Part and Class, including Article 4 directions and prior approval

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Use Classes & Change of Use

Find the current use classes, examples of uses and the routes between one use and another

When planning gets complicated

Refusals, enforcement, liabilities and protected places deserve their own clear route.

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Planning Appeals

Types of appeal, deadlines, procedure, costs, evidence and what happens after a refusal

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Planning Enforcement

Enforcement notices, stop notices, breaches, immunity, appeals and practical next steps

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Community Infrastructure Levy

CIL liability, exemptions, reliefs, forms, commencement, surcharges and appeals

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Conservation & Heritage

Listed buildings, conservation areas, ecology, trees, protected sites and heritage considerations

Research planning

For professionals, applicants and anyone who wants to understand the wider planning picture.

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Planning Policy & NPPF

The NPPF, development plans, policy weight, housing delivery and how planning policy fits together

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Housing & Planning

Housing need, land supply, delivery, affordable housing and the policy tests that shape decisions

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Agriculture & Equestrian

Agricultural permitted development, barns, rural workers, equestrian uses and countryside projects

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Planning News

Important planning changes, consultations, decisions, case law and other developments worth knowing

Still not sure where it lives?

Planning has a habit of giving simple ideas complicated names. Search again from here and we’ll help you find the right page.

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