About PlanningScout
Free, accessible planning information for homeowners, developers, and communities across the UK.
Our Mission
PlanningScout exists to make UK planning information accessible to everyone. Planning law is complex, jargon-heavy, and changes frequently. For most homeowners, the planning system is opaque — and professional advice is expensive. We aim to bridge that gap with clear, accurate, and free information.
We cover every local planning authority in England, Wales, and Scotland, with guides on over 40 common project types, interactive tools, and up-to-date fee information.
What We Cover
Council Directory →
329 local planning authorities with portal links, conservation areas, and heritage data.
Permission Guides →
40+ project-type guides answering "do I need planning permission for...?"
Cost Guides →
Detailed cost breakdowns for extensions, loft conversions, and other projects.
How-To Guides →
Step-by-step guides to applying, objecting, appealing, and checking permitted development.
Calculators →
Planning fee calculator, extension cost estimator, and loft conversion calculator.
PD Checker →
Interactive wizard to check if your project is permitted development.
Data Sources
Our council data is sourced from the following open government datasets, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0:
- planning.data.gov.uk →Conservation areas, listed buildings, brownfield sites, tree preservation orders
- Historic England National Heritage List →Listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens
- MHCLG Planning Data →Planning fee schedules, permitted development rules
- Planning Portal →Application types, guidance documents
Data from planning.data.gov.uk is Crown copyright and contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Disclaimer
PlanningScout is an independent information website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government body, including the Planning Inspectorate, MHCLG, Historic England, or any local planning authority. The information provided on this website is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional planning advice. Always verify information with your local planning authority and seek qualified professional advice for complex planning matters.
Contact
Found an error? Have a suggestion? We welcome feedback from users who spot outdated information or incorrect data.