Enfield Planning Portal: Search, Applications & Permission Guide

Find an existing application

Use the Enfield online planning register. Search by reference, postcode, site address, keyword, weekly/monthly list, property search or map search.

Read plans and decision notices

Open the application record and use the Documents tab. Decision notices and officer reports appear there once issued.

Comment or object online

Create a planning-register account, open the Comments tab, write planning reasons, and submit before the deadline where possible.

Check if permission is required

Use Enfield’s permission guidance, Planning Portal project guides and the online register. Consider a Certificate of Lawful Development if formal certainty is needed.

Submit a new application

Use the Planning Portal for most new applications. Prepare the correct local validation documents before paying and submitting.

Find older records

Start online. If the file is older or not fully digitised, use Enfield’s scan-on-demand or planning register inspection route.

Location plan

Check the red-line boundary, access, ownership context and whether the land needed for the proposal is included.

Existing and proposed drawings

Compare floor plans, elevations, roof plans and sections. Check revision dates so you do not rely on a superseded drawing.

Reports and assessments

Look for BNG, ecology, tree, heritage, daylight/sunlight, air quality, highway, flood, basement and planning statements where relevant.

Officer report

Once issued, the officer report explains planning assessment, consultees, objections, policy balance and recommendation.

Decision notice

Check approval/refusal wording, approved plan numbers, conditions and appeal information before starting works.

Appeal or related records

Open related cases and appeal status. A refusal, appeal, variation or condition discharge can change the practical position.

Use notify for email alerts

Select the notify option if you want email alerts for an application or location. Check junk mail after account creation and registration verification.

Use track for decisions

Select the track option if you want a notification when a decision is made and the decision notice becomes available.

House extensions and outbuildings

Some householder works may be permitted development, but earlier conditions, size limits and local restrictions can remove or limit rights.

Flats and maisonettes

Enfield says flats and maisonettes need approval and should apply for planning permission. Do not use ordinary householder assumptions.

Listed or conservation areas

Conservation areas and listed buildings can require additional permission or consent. Carrying out works to a listed building without consent can be a criminal offence.

Lawful Development Certificate

Use a Certificate of Lawful Development when you need formal evidence that existing or proposed works/use are lawful.

Interactive maps and constraints

Check Enfield’s interactive maps for constraints before assuming the answer is the same as a neighbour’s project.

Building control is separate

A project can need planning permission, building control approval, both or neither. Do not treat one approval as the other.

Location plan checklist

• Use an up-to-date Ordnance Survey base.
• Use 1:1250 scale, or 1:2500 for larger sites where appropriate.
• Show direction north.
• Use a unique reference number.
• Show enough named roads or neighbouring buildings to identify the site.
• Outline application site and all land needed for the work in red.
• Outline other nearby applicant-owned land in blue.

Drawing set checklist

• Draw plans to an identified scale.
• Show a linear scale bar and site address, especially for electronic submission.
• Include existing and proposed elevations, floor plans and roof plans where needed.
• Show neighbour relationship and relative building heights.
• Annotate demolition clearly on existing plans where relevant.
• Show site levels, finished floor levels and cross/long sections where needed.
• Use readable text, clear filenames and separate PDFs.

BNG documents to prepare

• Confirmation whether the biodiversity gain condition applies.
• Pre-development biodiversity value.
• Completed biodiversity metric calculation tool.
• Statement about any degradation before application.
• Plans showing on-site habitats, scale and north.
• Arboriculture report, BNG statement, BNG plans/drawings and declaration form where required.
• Wildlife or ecology survey where site conditions trigger it.

Ecology assessment triggers

• Protected species or habitats may be affected.
• Site is on or near a nature conservation site.
• Site is near biodiversity action plan habitats.
• Site is near rivers or green corridors.
• Works affect trees, roofs, outbuildings, gardens or habitat features.
• Survey timing may be seasonal, so start early.
• Reports should include a site map, affected habitats and enhancement opportunities.

Dropped kerbs and crossovers

There can be two processes: planning permission, where required, and Highways consent. Residential applications may use a householder route; commercial/non-domestic sites may need full planning permission.

C3 to C4 HMO

Enfield states that changing a C3 dwelling to a C4 HMO needs planning permission because permitted development rights for that change have been withdrawn by Article 4 Direction. HMO licensing can also apply separately.

Change of use

Some similar use changes may not need permission, but if you need formal certainty, use a Certificate of Lawful Development rather than relying on informal assumptions before signing a lease.

Working from home

If business activity changes the overall character of a home, causes noticeable traffic, unusual activity, noise or disturbance, a full planning application may be needed.