Search a current or recent application

Use Public Access for applications from 2005 onwards. Search by reference first, then address, parish, ward, date range or proposal keyword.

Use planning search map or constraints map

Use planning and policy maps to check conservation areas, Cotswolds National Landscape, TPOs, Article 4 directions and site policy layers before applying or commenting.

Find historic decisions

Use the historic decision notice search for 1948 to 2004/2005 records. Older map-based site numbers can cover larger estates and more than one property.

Comment on a live application

Search the application, open the record, read plans and documents, then use the comments button and “Make a Comment” with your full name and address.

Check planning permission

Check permitted development, Article 4, planning-history conditions, listed building status, conservation areas, CIL and whether formal pre-application or lawful-development advice is needed.

Submit a new application

Use Planning Portal for electronic applications, pay the full application fee online, and check Stroud’s validation checklist, drawing standards, CIL forms and supporting reports first.

Use map or location search when

• The site is land without a postcode.
• The application is for a farm, field, lane, estate or larger rural site.
• The address is not yet allocated.
• You need to check nearby planning activity.
• You need conservation, AONB/National Landscape, TPO or Article 4 context.

Use maps safely

• Do not rely only on a map marker; open the full record.
• Check the red-line location plan for the legal application site.
• Use planning constraints maps before assuming permitted development applies.
• Check Historic England separately for listed buildings.
• For historic decisions, use the old decision notice search and site numbers.

How older records work

Stroud explains that older applications were recorded on large maps with red outlines and site numbers. Some site numbers cover large estates, and some properties can have more than one relevant site number.

How to search older decisions

Use part of the address or nearby address. If the property does not appear, choose a nearby map result and adjust the map. For most historic applications, enter the site number into the reference search and manually check the PDF if needed.

Application form

Check applicant, agent, ownership, site description, proposed development, certificates, CIL answers and whether the proposal wording matches the plans.

Approved drawings

Open the latest plans, elevations, roof plans, block plans, sections, revisions and any decision notice plan numbers before relying on the scheme.

Design and access statement

Read this where submitted, especially for larger, listed-building, conservation, public-access or design-sensitive schemes.

Decision notice

Check decision, conditions, approved plan numbers, legal agreement references, expiry dates and any pre-commencement requirements.

Legal agreement

If applicable, review S106 or other legal agreement information because it can control contributions, affordable housing, habitat management or delivery triggers.

Supporting reports

Look for biodiversity, flood risk, sustainability, ecology, drainage, heritage, tree, transport, noise and other reports referred to in the decision notice.

House extensions and alterations

Check permitted development limits, planning-history conditions, Article 4 directions, conservation area position, Cotswolds National Landscape and listed building status.

Business and change of use

Changing premises use or expanding a business can require permission. Check use class, parking, servicing, noise, neighbours, signage and local policy before applying.

Formal certainty

If you need written certainty for sale, mortgage or enforcement risk, use a certificate of lawful development rather than relying only on informal advice.

Before opening Planning Portal

• Confirm whether permission is required.
• Choose the correct application type.
• Use the validation checklist for that application type.
• Prepare location plan, block plan, elevations and sections where needed.
• Check CIL forms, BNG, ecology, flood risk, sustainability and conservation triggers.
• Prepare the correct fee and ownership certificate.

Email or post route

• Download the appropriate form and guidance note.
• Email applications to planning@stroud.gov.uk.
• Only one copy of the form and supporting documents is needed per application type.
• For joint listed building and planning applications, two copies are required.
• Chargeable applications by email or post incur a £27 administration fee.

General drawing rules

• Use a conventional metric scale such as 1:100 or 1:50.
• Show the scale used and paper size.
• Use A3 or A4 where possible.
• Include scale bar and measured dimensions except on location plans.
• Do not use drawings marked “Not to scale” or “Do not scale from this drawing”.
• Show existing and proposed drawings side by side where possible.

Title box and file rules

• Include address and proposal description.
• Use drawing title, date, scale, paper size and drawing number.
• Clearly label revisions, such as Rev A with date.
• Use meaningful file names such as “Proposed Elevations”.
• Orient electronic files correctly.
• Submit files normally in PDF format.

Location plan rules

• Use up-to-date Ordnance Survey base or equivalent.
• Use 1:1000, 1:1250 or 1:2500 for larger sites.
• Show north.
• Outline application site in red.
• Outline other adjoining applicant-owned land in blue.
• Include named roads and enough surrounding buildings to identify the site.

Block plan rules

• Use 1:200 or 1:500 scale.
• Show existing/proposed buildings and structures.
• Show parking, turning areas, paths and boundary treatments.
• Identify demolition.
• Show trees, spread, species and trees to be felled.
• Show adjoining roads, footpaths and rights of way.

BNG validation information

• Application form statements on whether BNG applies or an exemption is claimed.
• Reasons for any claimed exemption.
• Baseline habitat plan with scale and north direction.
• Biodiversity metric showing pre-development value.
• Description of irreplaceable habitat where relevant.
• Major applications may need post-intervention and off-site habitat plans.

Before determination and before commencement

• Submit draft Biodiversity Gain Plan as early as possible where needed.
• Use the Government BGP template.
• Submit completed metric and condition sheets.
• Use HMMP or S106 evidence where significant on-site or off-site gains apply.
• Do not start development until the biodiversity gain condition is discharged where required.

Minimum pre-app information

• Map showing location and boundary outlined in red.
• Plans, sketches or annotated photographs showing physical works.
• Written description of the proposal.
• Photographs of the site.
• Policy justification if asking whether a scheme is likely acceptable.

Pre-app timing and limits

• Advice usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.
• Advice is not binding on a later application decision.
• Pre-app does not design the scheme for you.
• Formal sale/mortgage certainty should use a lawful-development certificate where appropriate.
• Planning Portal is for formal planning applications, not Stroud pre-app requests.

Before reporting

• Check whether permission or consent was needed.
• Search the planning register for existing permission.
• Check if works match approved plans and conditions.
• Collect photos, dates, location and references.
• Use the upgraded enforcement Report It form where possible.

What enforcement may not handle

• Anonymous complaints.
• Malicious, vindictive or vexatious complaints.
• Unreasonable or persistent complaints.
• Neighbour disputes or other civil matters.
• Issues not involving development or Town and Country Planning Acts matters.

Cotswolds National Landscape

Use Stroud planning constraints maps to check whether the site lies within the Cotswolds National Landscape before assuming a design, scale or landscape impact is minor.

Conservation and listed buildings

Check conservation area maps and Historic England for listed buildings. Heritage impact can affect windows, roofs, boundary walls, shopfronts, signage and outbuildings.

Trees and hedgerows

Check TPOs, conservation area tree rules, hedgerows and ecology before clearing vegetation, moving access, building near roots or submitting a block plan.

Flooding and drainage

Flood zones and drainage constraints can affect extensions, new dwellings, hardstanding, basements, parking areas and rural track changes.

Footpaths and bridleways

Some development may require diversion or closure of a footpath or bridleway, which is a separate process from the planning application and can be lengthy.

Older planning history

For older estates and pre-2005 permissions, check historic site numbers and decision notices because historic conditions may still limit today’s development rights.