Applications, appeals, permitted development, enforcement and planning strategy across England
Planning explanations, updates and practical guidance in video form
Useful planning links for England
This page brings together planning links that are genuinely useful when researching a site, checking legislation or finding the right government service. We favour primary and authoritative sources, with Planning Geek pages alongside them where a subject needs a plain-English explanation.
External websites change from time to time. If you spot a dead or redirected link, please let us know.
Need help with a planning application?
Planning Geek isn’t just a reference site - preparing and submitting planning applications is what we do. If you’d like a hand with an application, an appeal or any other planning matter, we’d be glad to help.
Find your council and planning authority
In two-tier areas the district or borough council will usually deal with ordinary planning applications, while the county council may deal with minerals, waste and some of its own development.
Planning policy and guidance
- Planning Geek: current National Planning Policy Framework
- Planning Geek: NPPF timeline and previous editions
- GOV.UK: Planning Practice Guidance
- GOV.UK: local plans under the new plan-making system
- GOV.UK: local plans under the legacy system
Planning legislation
- Town and Country Planning Act 1990
- Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
- Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
- Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
- Planning Act 2008
For a friendlier route into the two orders people use most often, see our GPDO section and Use Classes section.
Maps and site constraints
- Environment Agency: flood map for planning
- Historic England: National Heritage List for England
- MAGIC Map: environmental designations and constraints
- FindMyStreet: street records and USRNs
- FindMyAddress: addresses and UPRNs
Our conservation and protected sites section explains many of the designations you may find on these maps.
Appeals and planning decisions
- Planning Inspectorate Appeals Casework Portal
- GOV.UK: Planning Inspectorate services
- Planning Geek: planning appeals explained
Property and building information
- GOV.UK: find an Energy Performance Certificate
- GOV.UK: business rates valuation and corrections
- LEASE: leasehold advice
- Planning Geek: Building Regulations approval
Planning Geek shortcuts
Planning Links Page Updated: 25th August 2026