Summary
Planning registers show current and past planning applications, decisions, drawings, conditions and consultation material. They are the buyer’s main source for understanding nearby change. National planning data can help with broader search and mapping, but the local planning authority register remains the practical source of truth for the exact case file.
Definition
A planning register is the public record kept by a local planning authority for planning applications and decisions. It normally lets users search by address, postcode, reference number or map. Planning data platforms can standardise and map some planning datasets across England, but coverage may be incomplete, so buyers should use national tools for discovery and the local register for verification.