HouseDossier
Planning History

Planning Permission History UK -
Every Application, Every Decision

Find out exactly what has been applied for, approved, refused, and enforced at any UK address. Full planning history from local authority records - in 60 seconds.

Try a postcode (SW1A 2AA) or “12 SW1A 2AA”. Covers England and Wales.

Free preview always included. Full planning history from £9.95.

Why This Matters

Planning Issues Can Make a Property Unmortgageable - or Unlettable

An unresolved planning enforcement notice is one of the most serious title issues a property can carry. Unlike many planning breaches - which become immune from enforcement after 4 years for operational development (or 10 years for changes of use) - an enforcement notice that has been served remains live indefinitely. Some mortgage lenders will not complete on a property with an outstanding enforcement notice.

Beyond enforcement issues, the planning history reveals what a property was previously authorised for. If a house has been operating as an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) without planning consent for a change of use, the new buyer may inherit that breach. If extensions were built without consent, the buyer may be asked to remedy them.

The planning history of the surrounding area is equally important. Approved major residential developments, industrial units, or infrastructure projects that are already in the system - but not yet built - can fundamentally change the character of a neighbourhood.

£500K+

cost of some enforcement notice compliance orders in London

MHCLG 2023

1 in 8

planning applications refused in England (2023/24)

MHCLG

4 years

limitation period for operational development enforcement

TCPA 1990

480K+

planning applications decided annually in England

MHCLG planning stats

What the Report Covers

The Full Planning Picture - Property and Surroundings

All Planning Applications

Every planning application submitted for the property, with application reference, type, description of works proposed, decision date, and outcome (granted, refused, withdrawn, pending).

Enforcement Notices

Active and historic planning enforcement notices - the most serious planning issue a property can carry. Our report clearly flags any outstanding enforcement, explaining its nature and current status.

Conditions & Discharge

Planning conditions attached to approvals, and whether they have been formally discharged. Uncleared conditions can cause significant delays at conveyancing stage.

Certificates of Lawfulness

Any CLU/CLEUD certificates in the planning history - valuable evidence that past works or uses are now immune from enforcement action and therefore legally lawful.

How It Works

Planning History Search in Three Steps

01

Enter the property address

We identify the UPRN and local planning authority for the property, then query the relevant planning portal API - most major councils publish their planning data through standardised APIs.

02

Property and surrounding area searched

We search for planning records at the specific property, and within a defined radius for nearby major developments. Planning applications affecting the street or immediate area can be just as important as those at the property itself.

03

Full planning history delivered in under 60 seconds

Applications are returned in chronological order, with clear flagging of enforcement notices and any items that warrant further investigation.

Report Preview

What Your Planning History Report Includes

  • Complete planning application history for the property
  • Application type (full, householder, prior approval, LBC etc.)
  • Decision outcome (granted, refused, withdrawn)
  • Active and historic enforcement notices with current status
  • Planning appeals submitted and their outcomes
  • Conditions attached to consents (and discharge status)
  • Certificates of Lawfulness (CLU/CLEUD) in the history
  • Listed Building Consent applications
  • Tree Preservation Order (TPO) applications nearby
  • Major nearby development proposals within 500m
  • Plain-English summary of any planning red flags

Pricing

Simple, One-Off Pricing

Quick Check

£9.95per report
  • Planning application history
  • Enforcement notice flag
  • Flood risk
  • EPC & energy
  • Sold price history
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Full Dossier

£19.95per report
  • Listed building consent history
  • Nearby major developments (500m)
  • Conservation area status
  • AI planning risk summary
  • 12 more report sections
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FAQ

Planning History - Frequently Asked Questions

What does a planning history search reveal?
A planning history search reveals all planning applications submitted for a property or in the surrounding area - including those granted, refused, and withdrawn. It also shows any planning enforcement notices (issued when works are carried out without consent), appeals (where a refusal has been challenged), and discharge of conditions applications (where conditions attached to a consent are formally signed off). The planning history can reveal unauthorized works that may require retrospective consent, or planned nearby developments that could affect value or amenity.
Can I find out if my neighbour has planning permission for an extension?
Yes. Local authority planning portals are public and searchable by address. Our report searches the immediate vicinity of the property as well as the specific address - so you can see what has been applied for on neighbouring properties, on the street, or in the local area. This is particularly useful for identifying major development sites nearby, approved blocks of flats, or infrastructure projects that could affect your property.
What is a planning enforcement notice and how serious is it?
A planning enforcement notice is served by a local planning authority when a breach of planning control has occurred - typically where works have been carried out without the required planning permission, or where conditions attached to a consent have not been complied with. An unresolved enforcement notice is a significant legal issue that can delay a sale or affect the ability to mortgage. Buyers inherit enforcement obligations on the property, not just the current owner. Our report flags any active or historic enforcement notices.
Does a planning history search show works done without permission?
Directly, no - planning records only show applications that were made. However, comparing the current appearance or use of a building against the planning history can reveal discrepancies that suggest unauthorised works. If a large extension is visible on satellite imagery but no planning application exists, that is a red flag. Your solicitor's Local Authority Search will also reveal if an enforcement notice has been served - another indicator of unauthorised works.
How far back do planning records go?
Most councils hold digital planning records from the mid-1990s onwards, when computerised planning management systems became widespread. Some larger councils (particularly London boroughs) have records back to the late 1980s or earlier. Physical records may exist further back in some cases. Our report retrieves whatever is available on the local authority's digital planning portal, which typically covers the past 20–30 years.
What is a Certificate of Lawfulness and why does it matter?
A Certificate of Lawfulness (CLU or CLEUD) is a formal document from the local planning authority confirming that a particular use of land or buildings, or development works, are lawful under planning legislation. For buyers, a Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use (CLEUD) is valuable evidence that works carried out previously were either within permitted development rights or that the four-year (10-year for changes of use) limitation period has expired, making them immune from enforcement action. Our report notes any Certificates of Lawfulness in the planning history.

Search Planning History

Find out what's been applied for before you buy

Enter any UK address for an instant full planning history - applications, decisions and enforcement.

Try a postcode (SW1A 2AA) or “12 SW1A 2AA”. Covers England and Wales.

Free preview included. Full report from £9.95.

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