How to apply

Planning permission 

Once you have submitted your application online and we have received payment, you will receive an email receipt. This will contain both your unique payment reference number and your unique Planning Portal application reference number. Your application reference number should be quoted in all correspondence with your local authority regarding your application.

You will receive another email from the Planning Portal once the local authority acknowledges receipt of your application.

Once the authority has received your application it will validate it within its normal workflow processes and time scales.

See our guide to the planning application process for more information¹.

Please note, these emails from the Planning Portal do not constitute the formal acceptance of your electronic submission by your local planning authority.

If the local authority need more information or has any queries, they will contact you directly.

Building regulations approval

If you are applying online, once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email from the Planning Portal. The confirmation email will include a unique reference number which should be quoted in all correspondence with the building control body. Please note that the email from the Planning Portal does not constitute the formal acceptance of your electronic submission by your building control body.

The time frame for building regulations approval depends on the type of building control application you submit.

Full plans - Decisions are usually made within five weeks. If your building work meets standards, you will receive a completion certificate within eight weeks of completion of the building work.

Building notice - You can begin your alterations two days after your notice has been submitted to your building control body. Unlike full plans, you do not receive formal approval.

1. https://planningportal.pp.tqinfra.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/the-decision-making-process