What is the Planning Search tool?
The Planning Search tool lets you find sites based on their planning history. Instead of starting from a physical location, you start from planning activity: searching by keyword, application type, decision status, date range, or number of homes to surface sites where something significant has happened or is happening.
It is particularly useful for identifying sites with recent approvals you could build on, tracking competitor activity, spotting emerging development patterns, or finding sites with planning permission that has not yet been implemented.
How to access it
Open The Explorer on the left of your screen
Scroll down and tick Planning Applications to see them appear on the map
Click into the Planning Applications tab
Click Search Planning Applications at the top of the panel
Search options
Free text search
Type a keyword or phrase into the free text box to search planning application descriptions. For example: residential, affordable, care home, or an applicant's name.
Popular searches
Select from a list of pre-built common searches to get started quickly without typing a keyword.
💡 LandTech Tip: The free text box uses an AND search, not an OR search. It will only return applications that contain all of your keywords, so avoid using contradictory terms and keep your queries focused.
Filters
Application type
Filter by the category of planning application. See the full list of application types and their definitions below.
Decision status
Filter by the current status or outcome of the application.
Status | Description |
Approved | The application was granted planning permission |
Refused | The application was rejected by the local authority |
Withdrawn | The applicant withdrew the application before a decision was made |
Pending | The application has been submitted and is awaiting a decision |
Appeal lodged | The applicant has appealed a refusal to the Planning Inspectorate |
Appeal allowed | The appeal was upheld and permission granted |
Appeal dismissed | The appeal was rejected, confirming the original refusal |
Other | Any outcome not covered by the above categories |
Number of homes
Filter by the number of residential units proposed in the application. Set a minimum and/or maximum to focus on sites of a relevant scale.
Exclude terms
Enter terms you want to exclude from your results. For example, entering "rejected" will remove applications where that word appears in the description.
Date range
Filter by when the application was submitted or decided. Useful for focusing on recent activity or identifying historic permissions.
Application types
Householder
An application made by a homeowner to extend or alter a residential property. Typically covers extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, and alterations that do not change the use of the property.
Full
A full planning application providing complete details of a proposed development. Required when outline permission does not apply or where reserved matters have already been addressed.
Outline
An application to establish the principle of development on a site, with some details (reserved matters) left for later approval. Commonly used for larger residential or mixed-use developments.
Reserved Matters
A follow-on application to an outline permission, providing the detailed design, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping that were not approved at the outline stage.
Prior Approval
An application to determine whether a local authority's prior approval is required before carrying out certain permitted development rights. Includes conversions from office to residential, agricultural to residential, and upward extensions.
Permitted Development
Development that does not require a full planning application because it falls within nationally permitted development rights. Applications in this category are typically notifications or confirmations rather than formal applications.
Listed Building Consent
Permission required to alter, extend, or demolish a listed building. Applies to both internal and external works that affect the building's character.
Conservation Area Consent
Permission required to demolish a building in a designated conservation area.
Advertisement Consent
Permission required to display certain advertisements or signage on a property or site.
Lawful Development Certificate (Existing)
A certificate confirming that an existing use, operation, or activity is lawful because it does not require planning permission or because the time limit for enforcement action has expired.
Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed)
A certificate confirming that a proposed use or development would be lawful and does not require a formal planning application.
Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
An application to carry out work on a protected tree, or a notification that works are proposed on a tree in a conservation area.
Discharge of Conditions
An application to discharge conditions attached to a planning permission. Required when a permission contains pre-commencement conditions that must be formally approved before work can begin.
Variation of Conditions
An application to change or remove a condition attached to an existing planning permission without making a new full application.
Non-Material Amendment
An application to make minor changes to an approved planning permission that do not materially affect the development.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening
A request to determine whether a proposed development requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment before an application can be submitted.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping
A request to agree the scope and methodology of an Environmental Impact Assessment with the local authority before it is carried out.
Minerals and Waste
Applications relating to the extraction of minerals or the management of waste, typically determined by the county council or minerals planning authority.
Telecoms
Applications relating to the installation of telecommunications equipment, including masts, antennas, and associated infrastructure.
Agricultural Determination
An application to determine whether planning permission is required for proposed agricultural development.
Approval of Details
An application to formally approve details required by a condition attached to a planning permission.
Use classes
Use classes define the type of activity or use that takes place on a site. Planning Search results often reference use classes in application descriptions. The current use classes for England are:
Use Class | Description |
A1 | Shops (historic class, now largely replaced by E) |
A2 | Financial and professional services (historic class) |
A3 | Restaurants and cafes (historic class) |
A4 | Drinking establishments (now Sui Generis) |
A5 | Hot food takeaways (now Sui Generis) |
B1 | Business: offices, research, light industrial (now E) |
B2 | General industrial |
B8 | Storage and distribution |
C1 | Hotels |
C2 | Residential institutions: care homes, hospitals, boarding schools |
C2A | Secure residential institutions: prisons, detention centres |
C3 | Dwellinghouses: single households, small HMOs |
C4 | Houses in multiple occupation (up to 6 unrelated residents) |
E | Commercial, business, and service (introduced 2020: replaces A1, A2, A3, B1, and parts of D1 and D2) |
F1 | Local community uses: schools, libraries, places of worship, museums |
F2 | Local amenity uses: small local shops, halls, swimming pools, outdoor recreation |
Sui Generis | Uses that do not fall into any defined class, including theatres, nightclubs, petrol stations, and casinos |
Plan availability
Access to Planning Search is included on all LandInsight plans.
Plan | Planning Search access |
Starter | Included |
Pro | Included |
Unlimited | Included |