Free planning tools for UK neighbours and home buyers — search planning applications by postcode, check constraints, estimate objection deadlines, look up your ward and council, and test loss of light. No signup required.
Worried about a proposal — or buying nearby? Start with a tool, then use our free material-grounds scan if you need to object.
Planning research by postcode
One search: constraints, nearby applications, and ward & council — the fastest way to research a location.
For neighbours & home buyers
Planning constraints checker
See conservation areas, listed buildings, flood zones and more — with plain-English notes on what may matter in an objection.
For neighbours & home buyers
Planning objection deadline
Typical consultation lengths by application type — always confirm the closing date on your council portal.
Ward & council lookup
Your electoral ward and local council by postcode, with official links to councillor finders and your council page.
45° daylight rule calculator
Quick plan-view test for whether a neighbour extension may breach the common 45-degree loss-of-light guideline.
Crime and ASB context checker
See planning-relevant crime and anti-social behaviour levels near a postcode — useful for HMO and change-of-use objections.
Concerned about a nearby proposal?
In about 5 minutes, see which of your worries may count as material planning grounds — free. You only pay if you want a draft letter to edit and send yourself.
Not legal advice. Planning Guard is a planning tool to help you explore material planning issues and draft letters — not a solicitor or planning consultant. See Terms.
On-page = answers shown on Planning Guard. Links out = you continue on an official site.
| Tool | On Planning Guard | Official links |
|---|---|---|
| Planning research (all-in-one) | Constraints, applications, ward & council (live register ~275/380 councils) | Council portal when needed; deeper application search with radius |
| Constraints checker | Designations at your postcode (England-focused) | Council portal for Wales / Scotland / NI |
| Planning objection deadline | Typical day counts by application type | Portal for the real deadline |
| Ward & council lookup | Ward and council name | Councillor finder (51 councils) or GOV.UK |
| 45° daylight calculator | Plan-view loss-of-light test | None |
Use the right tool for each step — we link to official sources whenever you need to comment.
| Feature | Planning Guard | Council portal | Aggregators (e.g. Plota) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcode search | Yes — constraints, applications, ward | Yes — official register | Yes — application lists & alerts |
| Objection letter help | Free scan + optional draft letter | No — comment box only | Rarely |
| Material grounds analysis | Free AI scan | No | No |
| Signup required | No for tools | Often for commenting | Usually no for search |
| Authoritative for commenting | Links to council portal | Yes | Links out to council |
| Best for | Research then object with a letter | Submitting your representation | Tracking new applications |
Each tool uses public data to help you research a location. They do not submit comments to your council and are not legal advice. When you are ready to object, Planning Guard helps you identify material planning grounds and optionally draft a letter from £4.99.
Yes. Every tool on this page is free with no account or payment required. They use official open data from the government and public planning registers.
Start with Planning research by postcode — it runs a constraints check, fetches nearby applications, and shows your ward and council in one search. Then check the deadline tool to see how long the consultation window typically runs for that application type.
Most tools are primarily designed for England. Wales coverage is partial (constraints from planning.data.gov.uk may be incomplete). Scotland uses a different planning system and is not fully supported.
No. You submit your objection on your council's own planning portal. These tools help you research the location and understand the context. Planning Guard's free scan then helps you identify which concerns may be material planning considerations.
The deadline helper gives a typical estimate based on application type, accounting for weekends and England & Wales bank holidays. It is an estimate only — always check the consultation end date on your council's official planning register before relying on it.
