Frequently asked questions

Planda Portal makes planning applications simpler and faster. Our FAQ provides clear guidance on application processes, document requirements, payment, and technical support so you can complete your submission without delays or confusion.

Getting Started

How do I create an account and set up my profile?

Creating an account is quick and straightforward. You’ll need an email address and phone number, and you’ll set a password during sign-up. We’ll ask you to verify your email address to activate your account.

You can invite your team members at this stage, or skip it and add them later from the Account > Members tab. By default, whoever creates the account becomes the admin of the organisation.

How do I set up my account?

Click the name icon in the bottom-left corner and select Settings. From there you can manage your password and notification preferences, as well as add extra details such as your title, first name, surname, phone number, company name and address, and an email signature (this will be included on every email you send through the Planda portal).

We use these details to automatically pre-fill information (like your company address) across every application you submit, saving you time on repetitive data entry.

How do I submit an application, start to finish?

The process is simple, and it’s one of the things our customers tell us they love most about Planda.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Name your application (you can change this at any time. It’s just for your own reference and won’t be seen by the council).

  2. Select the location of your application.

  3. Draw the red line boundary. This step is required even if you already have your own site plan, so we’ve made drawing or selecting your site quick and easy.

  4. Generate the location plan or upload your own.

  5. Choose your application type.

  6. Upload your documents.

  7. Complete the required forms.

We automatically calculate the application fee based on the information you provide, so all that’s left is for you (or your client) to make payment.

If your client is responsible for payment, you can request it directly through the platform. The application will show as pending client payment until it’s received, and we’ll automatically send reminders if payment hasn’t been made after a few days.

How long does submission usually take?

Preparing a submission-ready application typically takes between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of your project, assuming you have your documents and information ready. You can also speed this up by asking Wren, our AI assistant, to help create your application for you.

Once submitted, decision timelines are set by the council. For applications with no issues, most decisions are made within 8 weeks for minor and householder applications, and 13 weeks for larger developments.

What application types are currently supported?

We support almost all planning application types. Because we add new types regularly, we’d recommend checking our website for the most up-to-date list, as it’s updated weekly.

You can find more detail on home extensions, alterations, and their variations on our Planning Project Types page, as well as information on commercial and residential developments.

Is there a way to help users identify the correct application type before they start?

Yes! Wren, your AI assistant, can help. We recommend asking Wren to show you similar applications submitted near your address, so you can see what application types others nearby have used for comparable projects.

Try a prompt like: “Please show me applications for work similar to [description of your proposal] near [your address].”

Can I start an application and come back to it later? Where do drafts live?

Yes. Your progress is autosaved as you go, so you can leave an application in draft status and return to it whenever you’re ready.

Once logged in, you can view all your applications in a single list and filter them by status: draft, submitted, valid, invalid, or decided.

How do I submit an application using documentation first (Planda Pro / upload-led flow)?

Simply upload your documents directly into the chat with Wren, our AI assistant, and ask for an application to be created from them. Once generated, you can open the application to review and adjust any details, or continue working entirely within the application itself.

Do we submit to Wales? (And Scotland/NI?)

Currently, we only support addresses in England. Addresses in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or outside the UK are not yet supported.

We’re launching support for Wales on 12 October 2026.

Which councils are you live with, and what happens if my council isn’t integrated?

We’re live with every local planning authority in England, so whichever council you’re applying to, your application will be accepted.

Can I import or migrate an application I started on Planning Portal?

Unfortunately, no. Only applications started and submitted through Planda Portal can be tracked within Planda Portal.

Why do we use three-word email addresses for correspondence, and what’s the reasoning behind them?

Every application is assigned its own unique three-word email address, which acts as a dedicated communication channel between you and the council.

All correspondence relating to that application is captured in a single, shared inbox, making it easy for your team to manage multiple applications at once — you can view all communications, respond on a colleague’s behalf if they’re away, and transfer applications between team members seamlessly.

You’ll still receive notifications through your own personal email, so you’re always kept in the loop on any updates.

Documents, Plans and Drawings

How do I skip the location plan, and why is it set up this way?

The location plan can’t be skipped: it’s a required part of every application, as it shows exactly where your project will take place and how it relates to neighbouring properties and council boundaries.

The good news is that generating a location plan through Planda is completely free. If you’d prefer to use your own, you can upload it right after drawing your red line boundary.

We ask every applicant to draw a red line boundary because many of the modern systems councils use rely on precise site shapes to unlock more powerful processing and validation tools.

How do I use the location plan tool (siting, scale, red line, blue line)?

For a full walkthrough, see our guide: Creating Your Location Plan: A Complete Guide.

When setting your site boundary, you can either select a pre-loaded boundary — we display existing site boundaries you can simply click to select — or draw your own.

The Red Line Boundary

Your red line boundary defines the primary development site. This single boundary must encompass:

  • The main development area

  • All access routes to public roads

  • Associated infrastructure (parking areas, driveways, pathways)

  • Ancillary structures (garages, sheds, outbuildings)

  • Gardens and outdoor spaces integral to the development

Important: Regardless of your development type — residential, commercial, or rural — you must clearly show how the site connects to existing road networks and the public highway.

The Blue Line Boundary

Use a blue line boundary to indicate any additional land you own that sits near or adjacent to the development site, even if it isn’t part of the proposed works. You may have zero, one, or several blue line boundaries, depending on your property holdings.

Technical Requirements for Valid Location Plans

Your location plan must meet specific standards to be accepted by Local Planning Authorities:

Scale and Format

  • Standard metric scale: 1:1250 for typical sites, 1:2500 for larger developments

  • Document size: A4 or A3

  • North arrow clearly indicated

What document formats and file sizes do you accept?

For location plans: PDF (.pdf), images (.jpg, .jpeg, .png), and Word (.doc, .docx).

For all other documents: PDF (.pdf), images (.jpg, .jpeg, .png), Word (.doc, .docx), RTF (.rtf), Excel (.xls, .xlsx), and CSV (.csv).

The upload limit is 10MB per file, as this ensures councils can load documents correctly within their own systems. If your file is larger than this, ask Wren to help split it into smaller files ready for submission.

How do I name and label documents so councils accept them?

File names should be clear, straightforward, and accurately describe the document’s content. For example:

  • SiteLocationPlan.pdf

  • GroundFloorPlan.pdf

  • EcologicalSurvey.pdf

For drawings, clearly differentiate between existing and proposed versions, for example: Proposed Rear Elevation - Drawing 08.pdf.

Some councils apply their own specific naming requirements, so it’s worth checking your council’s guidance before submitting, just to be safe.

Can I replace or reupload a document after I’ve added it?

Yes, you can replace or reupload documents at any point while creating or editing your application.

If your application is in pending client payment status, you’ll need to cancel the payment request first before you can edit it.

If your application has already been submitted, you can edit it once, or each time the council invalidates the application and requests changes.

Do you generate CIL forms, and how do I know if I need one?

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) generally applies if your new build creates 100 square metres or more of gross internal floorspace, or if it creates a new dwelling. However, requirements can vary between councils, and certain developments may be exempt. Most councils require a CIL Form 1, which Planda can generate for you automatically.

You can find our CIL forms here: CIL Forms.

Planda automatically generates CIL Forms 1 and 2 using the relevant data from your application. If you need further guidance, ask Wren, contact our team, or check your council’s dedicated CIL pages.

What happens with ownership certificates and agricultural declarations?

Planda automatically generates the correct ownership certificate and, where relevant, agricultural declaration based on the specifics of your site, and includes them with your application when it’s sent to the council.

If your council requires a different certificate, you can simply edit your application and regenerate an updated application form.

Ava and validation

What does Ava actually check, and what does it not check?

Ava is trained on a broad range of data, including national planning requirements, specific issues councils have previously flagged with our users, and local validation lists.

Ava always errs on the side of caution — as it should. Wherever possible, we tell you exactly where a requirement has come from, so you can understand the reasoning behind each flag.

Ava checks your application description, scans all uploaded documents, and reviews your application against your council’s specific requirements and any constraints that apply to your site.

If you have questions about a specific flag, you can ask Wren, or reach out to our team directly.

How do I use Ava to its full potential?

Read through Ava’s suggestions carefully and address them wherever possible: this is the best way to avoid delays or invalidation once your application reaches the council.

If you disagree with a specific flag, you can dismiss it by clicking “Ignore” on that individual item, or choose to submit to the council regardless. We don’t gatekeep your application (the choice is always yours) but be aware that ignoring a flag may mean the council invalidates your application on review.

What is “Action Required” and how does it relate to how Ava works?

“Action Required” is the status shown when Ava has flagged something in your application that needs your attention. While an application is in this status, it has not been sent to the council.

To move forward, you’ll need to either fix the issue Ava has flagged, or confirm that you’d like to ignore the flag and submit the application to the council anyway.

Why does your system show invalid when I believe the application is valid?

An application is only marked “Invalid” once the council has issued a formal letter of invalidity. If you see this status, we’d recommend reviewing the reasons given in that letter.

If you have any further questions about an invalidity decision, please get in touch with our team.

Why hasn’t my application been validated yet?

Validation times vary by council. Where possible, we provide an estimate of how long validation is likely to take, and if you suspect something isn’t right, our team is happy to look into it with you.

You can also check estimated timelines and current volumes for your specific council on Council Nuggets: https://app.plandaportal.co.uk/councils.

In most cases, delays come down to capacity rather than anything being wrong. Councils work hard, but simply don’t always have the resource to review every application quickly.

How long should validation take, and what’s the difference between Planda validation and council validation?

Planda’s validation check is based on our understanding of what councils look for, drawing on the data we hold across all the councils we work with. It’s designed to catch likely issues before submission and reduce the risk of unnecessary delays.

It is not a replacement for the council’s own planning or validation officer: think of it as a helpful second pair of eyes that proofreads your application before it’s sent, rather than a guarantee of council approval.

How do I edit an invalid application on the portal?

If your application has been marked invalid, you can either act directly from that status, or click into your application’s actions menu at any point after submission and select “Edit Application.”

You’re entitled to one edit per submitted application. Within that edit, you can make a wide range of changes, including:

  • Removing or adding documents

  • Topping up payment

  • Requesting a refund

  • Changing application forms or application type

  • Regenerating documents

What is an “edit round” and when does one open?

You're granted one edit round per submitted application, which means after you submit, you can make changes and we will make sure they get to the council. In addition, an edit round becomes available whenever the council invalidates your application.

A round is considered complete once you’ve made your changes and resubmitted the application to the council. You don’t need to address every point raised, only the changes you choose to make.

We sent everything, but the council says documents are missing — what now?

If your application has been marked invalid, simply click the “Edit Now” call-to-action button and make any changes needed. Once you click submit, an updated application is automatically sent to the council and if you’ve topped up your payment, that update is passed along too.

If you want to dispute or challenge something the council has stated rather than make changes, you can use the link in your application’s inbox to reply directly in email mode.

If the council has simply emailed you requesting a specific document, you can respond quickly by attaching it directly within your Planda inbox.

How do I respond to a specific council request without triggering an invalid/full edit round — i.e. if I want to contest the request rather than comply?

Underneath the banner that signals your application as invalid, you’ll find a link that takes you back into inbox mode, where you can respond directly to the council without starting a full edit round.

You’re always free to go on and edit the application afterwards if needed, using this link simply gives you the option to reply first.

Does Ava know my council’s local validation requirements?

In most cases, yes. Council validation requirements change frequently, so we’re always transparent about where our assumptions come from.

Ava draws on a combination of constraints data, validation rules, and historical invalid-application data from previous submissions, allowing it to reliably spot what’s missing for your specific council.

As a result, our applications’ invalidation rate remains well below the national average.

Wren, Planda Land and AI Features

What is Wren?

Wren is the AI assistant built into Planda Portal. It sits alongside your applications and helps with the parts of the process that usually involve digging through documents, drafting emails, or checking what a council expects.

What can I ask Wren to do?

Wren works best when helping with questions and tasks tied to a specific application. Common uses include:

  • Answering questions about an application, e.g. what’s been submitted, what stage it’s at, and what the council has requested

  • Drafting replies to council correspondence, including extension-of-time requests, description amendments, and site visit arrangements

  • Helping write supporting text, such as design and access statements or proposal descriptions

  • Explaining validation requirements and what a council’s checklist is asking for

  • Summarising long documents or email threads relating to an application

Will Wren submit anything or contact the council on my behalf?

No. Wren drafts and suggests: nothing is ever sent or submitted until you’ve reviewed it and chosen to send it yourself.

What happens if Wren doesn’t know something?

Wren will tell you, or ask for clarification. It doesn’t guess at planning requirements. Where an answer depends on a specific council’s rules, or on a document it doesn’t have access to, Wren will say so rather than fill in the gap.

Does Wren replace checking my application myself?

No. Wren speeds up drafting and research, but the application remains yours, and professional judgement is still required from you. Pre-submission validation checks are handled separately, by Ava.

Can Wren read and summarise my documents and council correspondence?

Yes. You can ask Wren things like which applications are pending with councils, who you need to respond to, or what documents are still outstanding, and it will pull this together for you.

Can Wren do site research or answer planning policy questions?

Yes. We’re continually expanding the data Wren has access to. As a general rule, it’s worth simply trying your question. If there’s specific data or a source you’d like added, let us know and we’ll look into it.

What is Planda Land and what can I do with it?

Planda Land is a map-based site research tool built into Planda Portal. It lets you look up a site and see the planning constraints that apply to it, without needing to check multiple council and government sources separately.

You can use it to:

  • Search for a site by address or postcode and view it on the map

  • See which constraint layers affect the site, including conservation areas, Article 4 directions, flood zones, listed buildings, and tree preservation orders

  • Get a clear picture of a site’s planning context early, before committing time to a feasibility study or full application

  • Sense-check what a site is likely to need before you start preparing documents

Is the Planda Land data live?

Constraint data is sourced from national and local datasets and refreshed periodically. It’s a strong starting point for research, but for anything that hinges on an exact boundary line, we’d recommend confirming directly with the local authority.

How do the API and MCP work, and what can I do with them?

Our API allows your practice to integrate directly with Planda Portal and auto-generate application drafts from your own systems. If you’re able to configure it, you can connect Planda Portal to virtually any system your practice already uses — our team is happy to talk through integration options with you.

Our MCP connectors offer a simpler route: they let you draft applications through Planda Portal directly from AI tools such as Claude, Gemini, and GPT. Wren can also make use of these connectors, depending on the tools and setup you’re working with.

What is the Planda MCP / Claude integration and how do I connect it?

You can find full setup instructions here: Connect Planda Portal to Your AI.

We’re currently awaiting listing on the official extensions pages for both OpenAI and Anthropic. Once that goes live, you’ll be able to follow this guide to use Planda Portal directly from ChatGPT or Claude: Use Planda Portal from ChatGPT or Claude.

Is my data used to train AI models?

To provide Wren, your prompts, application data, uploaded documents, and correspondence may be processed by third-party AI model providers acting as our sub-processors under written data processing terms. This processing is carried out in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Your data is not used to train third-party models. You must not enter into Wren any information you are not permitted to disclose, and you warrant that you have a lawful basis for sharing any third-party personal data (including that of applicants, clients, neighbours, or landowners) with the Service.

Sharing with Clients and Homeowners

How do I share an application with a homeowner or client?

Click into Application Actions in the top-right corner of the application, then select Share. From there, you can add recipients by email address.

Each recipient will receive a secure link giving them view-only access to the application — they won’t be able to make any edits.

Can I share council communications with a client?

Yes. You’ll be prompted with this option in a pop-up once you’ve finished your application, or you can do it at any time by going to Application Actions → Share and adding your client’s email address. They’ll receive an email containing a secure link to the application.

Once an application is shared, the client will be able to see the inbox containing all council communications for that application.

What can a client see and do — can they edit or just view?

Clients have view-only access. They can see everything the application owner can see, including the application’s progress, the communications inbox, and the documents tab. They are not able to make any edits.

Can the client pay the fee directly?

Yes. You can request your client make payment via a shared payment link at the end of the application process.

Please note the client is not paying the council directly, as Planda facilitates and processes this payment on your behalf.

How do I revoke access once the job is done?

Go to Application Actions → Share to see everyone who currently has access to the application. From here, you can revoke access for individual recipients at any time.

People you have added in the share modal will receive a read-only link to access the application.

Payments, Fees, Credits and Cashbacks

Do you accept credit cards? Why not / what are the alternatives?

Yes. Applications can be paid by card, bank transfer (BACS), or PLP credits.

Two things to be aware of:

  • Fees over £1,000 need to be paid by BACS rather than card.

  • Client payment links may not offer a card option, depending on the application being paid for. If you need card payment available on a link you’re sending to a client, get in touch and we’ll talk it through.

What payment methods do you accept (debit card, BACS, invoice)?

You can pay for an application by:

  • Card: processed securely through Stripe

  • Bank transfer (BACS)

  • PLP credits: prepaid balance on your account

When paying, you can choose to pay as a business, which gives you a VAT receipt for your records.

Applications over £1,000 need to be paid by BACS.

How do I use credits for my company?

Any admin in your organisation can top up credits from Account > Wallet. Your current balance is shown in the top-right corner of your dashboard.

When you reach the payment page, anyone in your organisation will see the option to pay with credits. Toggle it on and the application will be paid from your credit balance. Admins can also top up at this step if needed.

Please note that credits can’t be used to part-pay for an application: your balance must cover the full amount.

How do cashbacks work, and when do I receive them?

How do I get a VAT receipt or invoice?

If you’re paying by card through Stripe, select the option to purchase as a business and you’ll receive a VAT receipt.

If you’re paying by BACS, get in touch with our team and we’ll help you get what you need.

Who sets the planning fee — can it be wrong?

The planning fee is calculated automatically based on your answers in the application form and your application type, so it will be correct as long as the details you’ve provided are accurate.

If any details are incorrect, the council’s planning officer will flag it to you. You can then edit your application type through Planda Portal and either pay the additional fee or request a refund.

What happens to my fee if the application is withdrawn or refused?

We’ll refund you whatever the council refunds, subject to a processing fee depending on the situation. Full details are set out in our Terms & Conditions.

How do refunds and reconciliation work?

The council may email you about a refund, or you can request one from the council or from us directly.

When the council issues a refund, it comes to Planda first, and we then pass it back to you. All refunds are handled in line with our Terms & Conditions.

How does the application appear on my bank/card statement?

On your bank statement, it should show as Planda followed by your application's portal reference, e.g. PLANDA*
▎ PLP-00012345.

Payments appear on your receipt/invoice as: Planning application for: {site address}, {client name}.

Do you charge a service fee on top of the council fee?

Yes, our service fee is £85. You can see how we compare with other submission portals on our website: Planning Portal vs Planda Portal.

After Submission

Where is my application / why is it taking so long?

Immediately after submission, Planda runs a final AI check on your application. If no issues are found, it’s submitted directly to the council.

From there, most councils take 1–2 weeks to validate an application, though some councils are currently experiencing backlogs of up to 13 weeks. Once validated, most councils issue a decision within 8 weeks for minor and householder applications, and within 13 weeks for larger developments.

Processing times vary by council — you can check average timelines for your specific council on our Council Nuggets page.

You can check the current status of your application at any time from your application list, and review any messages sent by the council directly within the platform.

Why haven’t the council responded?

Some councils are currently experiencing staffing shortages and case backlogs, which can extend response times beyond usual expectations.

You can check the current status of your application in your application list at any time, and review any messages already sent by the council within the platform.

Can you chase my application with the council for me?

Yes — our team is happy to chase an application with the council on your behalf. Just get in touch and we’ll take care of it.

What information do we get from application tracking, and how current is it?

Application tracking keeps you informed of key milestones, including status changes, decisions made, and any additional information requested by the council.

You’ll receive email notifications automatically whenever there’s an important update to your application.

What do the different application statuses mean?

  • Draft: The application is being created or edited by the user. This is the initial state for all applications.

  • Pending Payment: The application is complete but awaiting payment before it can be submitted.

  • Action Required: The application has been paid and is currently undergoing validation checks.

  • Submitted: The application has passed validation and been submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA).

  • Approved: The LPA has approved the planning application.

  • Refused: The LPA has refused the planning application.

  • Decision Unknown: A decision has been made, but the outcome is unclear or pending clarification.

  • Archived: The application has been archived, either because its lifecycle is complete or by user action.

  • Withdrawn: The application was withdrawn by the applicant before a decision was reached.

How do I track my application and see the council reference number?

Go to your application list to view all your applications, then click into the relevant one. Key information, including its current status and council reference number, will be displayed at the top of the page.

Please note the council reference number will only appear once it has been issued by the council.

How does the council get in touch with me?

Every application has its own unique three-word email address, which the council uses to contact you. All correspondence for that application is captured in the application’s inbox within Planda Portal.

You’ll also receive a notification to your own email address whenever the council gets in touch, so you’ll never miss an update.

How do I respond to a council request for further information?

You can respond directly within Planda Portal, using the dedicated inbox for that application. From there, you can send messages and attach any supporting documents the council has requested.

Can an application be amended after submission?

Yes, applications can be amended at any point during creation and after submitting them by editing it.

If your application is in pending client payment status, you’ll first need to cancel the payment request before making changes. You can do this by clicking the “Undo” button top right corner. Once an application has been submitted, you’re entitled to one edit per application.

How do I withdraw an application?

Yes, applications can be withdrawn. You might be contacted by the council or our support team to process the formal withdrawal.

We’re also working on the ability to withdraw applications directly within Planda Portal, coming soon.

What are the statutory determination periods (8 weeks, 42 days, etc.)?

Statutory time limits for planning applications are set out in Article 34 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order. These are:

  • 13 weeks for applications for major development

  • 10 weeks for applications for technical details consent, and for public service infrastructure development

  • 8 weeks for all other types of development

Where an application is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment, a 16-week limit applies instead.

How do I know when a decision has been issued?

You’ll receive an email notification as soon as a decision is issued, and you can also check the current status at any time from your application list, in Planda Portal.

Decision updates are captured either through direct communication from the council, or by Planda monitoring the council’s website for updates.

What happens if my application is refused?

You’ll receive an email notification informing you of the refusal, and the updated status will also be reflected in your application list.

From there, you have two options: revise and resubmit your application through Planda, or lodge an appeal.

Account, Notifications and Troubleshooting

How do I change my email, password or organisation details?

Click the name icon in the bottom-left corner and select Settings. From there, you can update your password, email address, and organisation details.

What notifications do I get, and how do I change them?

Click the name icon in the bottom-left corner and select Settings. From there, you can select the Notifications tab, where you can toggle each notification type on or off according to your preference.

Why didn’t I receive an email from Planda or the council? (spam, threading, wrong address)

First, check your spam or junk folder, and confirm that the email address on your account is correct and up to date.

If you still can’t locate the email, please contact our support team at hello@plandaportal.co.uk and we’ll help track it down.

My payment went through but the application didn’t submit — what happened?

Please contact our support team as soon as possible. We’ll investigate what happened and make sure your application is submitted correctly.

Something looks broken / how do I report a bug or get support?

You can ask Wren, our AI assistant, for help, or click the icon in the bottom-right corner to reach a member of our human support team directly.

Alternatively, you can email us at hello@plandaportal.co.uk.

How do I delete my account or data?

To request deletion of your account or data, please reach out to our support team via Intercom, or email us at hello@plandaportal.co.uk.

Trust and Commercial

How is Planda different from Planning Portal?

Planning Portal and Planda Portal serve different purposes. Planning Portal is a submission portal — its role is to get your application in. Planda Portal is a management platform, built to support your application through its full lifecycle, from drafting through to decision.

That includes:

  • Team access and permissions — invite colleagues, set permissions, and transfer an application to another member, useful if the person handling a case is away or leaves.

  • Ava, our AI validator — every submission is checked against national and council-specific requirements before it reaches a case officer. We also monitor applications that come back invalid from councils and use that data to continually improve Ava’s checks.

  • One inbox for council correspondence — all emails relating to an application land in a single thread, so nothing sits in an individual’s mailbox and anyone on the team can pick up where a colleague left off. We also notify you via email.

  • Application tracking — see exactly where an application stands, and share it securely with clients who want visibility on progress.

  • Amendments — if something needs to change after submission, you can edit the application and send the update directly to the council, without resubmitting from scratch.

  • Access to wider data — view nearby planning applications and examples of similar accepted projects alongside your own applications.

  • Organisation tools — calendars and custom tags help you track what’s live, what’s due, and what needs attention.

  • AI tools — a built-in assistant (Wren) can summarise your applications, help you prioritise your workload, and draft new applications for you.

  • Open API — connect Planda Portal directly to the other systems your practice already uses.

Our map view, Planda Land, with council constraint layers — conservation areas, Article 4 directions, flood zones, TPOs and listed buildings — is live now and free to use.

If you’d like more detail on any of this, our team is happy to walk you through it. You can also read more in our blog post: More Than Just a Portal: Why the UK Planning System Needs Technology Built for Outcomes.

Is my data secure, and where is it stored?

Yes. All application data is stored securely in line with EU data protection standards.

Are Planda-generated forms and CIL forms accepted by councils?

Yes, forms generated by Planda Portal, including CIL forms, are accepted by councils. If you have a question about a specific document, our team is happy to help.

What does it cost, and are there plans for different firm sizes?

Planda Portal only charges a service fee when the council’s planning fee is over £100. In those cases, our fee is £85 including VAT.

Any other amount you pay is the statutory planning fee, which is passed directly to the council.

Everything else on Planda Portal is free, with no subscription, so it costs the same whatever the size of your firm.

Can I get a demo or onboarding session for my team?

Yes! Get in touch with our team at hello@plandaportal.co.uk and we’ll arrange a demo or onboarding session for you and your colleagues.

For application progress or planning policy questions:

Contact your local planning authority directly. Planda Portal is an online submission service; local councils make all planning decisions.

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Ready to start your planning application?

Join thousands of homeowners and developers who've simplified their planning journey

Ready to start your planning application?

Join thousands of homeowners and developers who've simplified their planning journey