Search and comment on planning applications

You can use the online Public Access system to:

• search for planning applications, decisions, appeals and enforcement notices
• search the weekly lists of new applications
• view documents and plans
• comment on undecided planning applications

If you want to save your searches, track the progress of an application, and receive email updates about applications you have commented on you are able to create an account.

Before you start, read our guidance below for commenting on planning applications and the terms and conditions for Public Access.

Step by step instructions on how to use the Public Access system can be found in the downloads section of this page.

Search and comment on planning applications

Commenting on planning applications

How to comment

You can comment on a planning application:

• online using the Public Access system
• in writing by post – addressed to ‘Planning’ at the Department for Place postal address

For comments to be taken into consideration by the case officer you should submit them as soon as possible. You usually have 21 days from the planning application being registered by the council to submit them.

If you submit your comments online you will get an instant email acknowledgement of receipt. Contact us immediately if you receive acknowledgement of a comment that you did not submit so that we can investigate.

What issues are considered

When considering a planning application, relevant issues include:

• development plan policies
• government guidance
• case law
• residential amenity
• design and layout
• conservation matters
• highway safety and traffic
• landscape and trees
• other relevant material considerations

Issues not considered relevant include:

• matters covered by other laws e.g. alcohol licences
• private property rights e.g. boundaries or access disputes
• the developer’s motive
• possible future development
• loss of view from your property
• the effect on value of property

What happens next

By law all comments made about a current planning application and the name of the person who commented must be publicly available during the decision process. Personal data (email and contact details) is not published.

Any statement that is not relevant to an application or is submitted anonymously will also not be published.

Any statement that is offensive, abusive, defamatory, indecent, obscene, threatening, racist or in breach of any other rights will not be published.

All comments are taken into account during the decision process but we are unable to respond to individual comments or discuss specific applications.

In some circumstances we will re-consult on a proposal. Details of the consultation period for each case will be published on Public Access.

Following the decision of a planning application, in accordance with data protection legislation all comments made in relation to an application are removed from the system.