Check the status of any UK planning application instantly — search by address, postcode or application reference number.
The council has received your application. It will be checked for completeness and assigned a reference number within a few days.
Your application has been formally validated and placed on the public register. The statutory determination period has started (usually 8 weeks for householder applications, 13 weeks for major applications).
A planning officer has been assigned and is assessing your application. They may request additional information or consult with neighbours and specialists.
The planning officer's assessment is complete and a decision is imminent — usually within days. The officer may be preparing their report for a planning committee if the application is contentious.
Planning permission has been granted. Download your decision notice carefully — it will list any conditions you must discharge before starting work, and may specify a time limit (usually 3 years) to begin development.
Your application has been refused. The decision notice will explain the reasons. You have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 months (12 weeks for householder applications). Alternatively, you can amend and resubmit.
The application was withdrawn before a decision was made. You can resubmit at any time, usually without a fee if you do so within 12 months.
The council returned your application because it was incomplete — missing documents, incorrect fee, or insufficient information. The council must tell you what's missing so you can resubmit.
Most householder applications (extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings) should be decided within 8 weeks. Minor applications (small commercial changes) take up to 8 weeks. Major applications (large housing developments, commercial buildings) take up to 13 weeks. These are statutory targets — in practice many councils take longer, especially for complex applications.
This is normal — it means your application is with the planning officer and a decision is imminent. If the statutory 8-week or 13-week deadline has passed with no decision, you have the right to appeal on the grounds of non-determination. Contact your planning officer first, though — many delays can be resolved with a quick conversation.
Yes. You have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 months of the decision for most applications (12 weeks for householder applications). Appeals are free to submit. Alternatively, you can amend your proposal and resubmit — if you do so within 12 months, you won't pay another application fee. Read the refusal reasons carefully; many refusals can be overcome by minor design changes.
Check your decision notice for conditions attached to your permission. Some conditions must be discharged (formally approved by the council) before you start work. You'll also need to comply with Building Regulations, which are separate from planning permission — contact your council's building control department or use a private approved inspector. Most permissions require you to start work within 3 years.
Yes — all planning applications are public record. Search by the address in the box above, or visit the council's planning portal directly. You have the right to view all submitted documents, plans, and consultation responses.
LeadLinka covers 300+ UK councils but is still expanding coverage. Very recently submitted applications (within the last 24–48 hours) may not yet be in our database. For the most up-to-date status, visit your council's planning portal directly — use the "Visit official portal" link on your council's page.
LeadLinka's core product is a live feed of every planning application across the UK — so you can find commercial and residential projects before they go to tender. Explore the planning feed →