Use the Bromley Planning Register Without Opening the Wrong Portal
Use this guide to search Bromley planning applications, view plans, submit comments, use the Public Register map, login for notifications, check building control records and prepare a valid planning application.
It also explains reference-number rules, building control search differences, Planning Portal submission, validation charges, photos, PDF requirements, comments, enforcement and when to contact Bromley planning support.
Quick answer: use Bromley’s Public Register to search planning applications, view plans and documents, comment on live cases, search weekly lists, view property details and find enforcement notices. Use the Public Register map when you need a map-based search or ward context.
Use the building control search only for building regulation applications and contraventions. Use Planning Portal when submitting a new planning application. Use Bromley validation guidance before submission because invalid applications can now attract an administration charge.
Choose the Correct Bromley Council Portal
“Bromley planning portal” can mean different tools. Pick the task first, then open the right official page.
Search planning applications
Use the Public Register for planning applications, documents, decisions, comments, weekly lists, historic records, property details and enforcement notices.
Login and alerts
Create or use an online services account if you want notifications, tracking or preferences linked to your planning searches.
Use the map
The Public Register map can show planning and building-control applications and help identify the ward for advanced searches.
Search building control
Use the building-control application search for building regulation records and contraventions, not planning permission decisions.
Submit a planning application
Use Planning Portal where possible. Bromley says all applications should be submitted electronically through Planning Portal.
Report a breach
Use enforcement only for potential planning breaches such as unauthorised development, use, condition breaches or listed/conservation harm.
Bromley Planning Portal Search: Best Order
Bromley’s search guidance is very specific: include the reference suffix and do not prefix the planning reference with DC/.
Start with the full planning reference
Use the full reference from the site notice, neighbour letter or email. Bromley gives the example 25/00001/FULL5, not just 25/00001.
Do not add DC/ to the reference
If your old document or email shows DC/, remove it before searching. Bromley says not to prefix the reference with DC/.
If the reference fails, simplify the address
Try postcode, road name, first line of address, area, proposal words or map search. Addresses are stored as they were at the time of application, so renamed sites can be hard to find.
Use advanced search for broader results
Use application category, description of works, site address, application type and date filters. A less refined search gives broader results.
Open the full record, not just the result line
Check documents, important dates, public comments, decision status, officer/delegated report, committee date and related records before acting.
Bromley Planning Portal Login, Alerts and Subscriptions
You can search many records without an account, but registration is useful if you want notifications and saved preferences.
Planning subscriptions
Bromley says users can subscribe for notifications by area or ward for planning decisions, applications going to committee and valid applications based on selected filters.
- Use ward-based alerts if you monitor a wider area.
- Track one application if you only need one case.
- Check manually near committee or decision dates.
- Use the exact application reference in your notes.
Online services account
Bromley’s online account page groups planning applications, building control, licences, business rates, jobs, housing and other portals. Choose the planning or building-control portal, not a general council account page.
- Use planning applications portal for planning records and alerts.
- Use building control portal for building regulation applications.
- Do not use Planning Portal login to search Bromley’s local register.
Bromley Planning Portal Map: When to Use It
The Public Register map is useful when you do not know the exact reference or when a site is land, a school, an estate, a commercial unit, a park edge or a building with changed address history.
| Map task | Why it helps | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Find a nearby application | Map search can reveal cases around a site when reference or address search fails. | Open the case record and confirm address, reference, description and status. |
| Check a ward | Bromley says the map can help identify the ward for advanced register searches. | Use the ward in advanced search and subscribe for notifications if needed. |
| Search building control map records | The map can show planning and building-control applications. | Confirm whether the record is planning or building control before quoting it. |
| Check land rather than a normal address | Field, garage, outbuilding or estate sites may not search cleanly by address. | Search by map, road, postcode, ward and proposal keywords. |
Bromley Planning Portal Building Control: Separate Search, Different Meaning
Planning permission and building control are not the same. A project may need planning permission, building regulations approval, both, or neither.
| Need | Use planning search? | Use building control search? |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbour extension permission | Yes. Search planning applications and decision notices. | Only if you need building regulation records too. |
| Completion or regulation history | No, planning does not prove Building Regulations compliance. | Yes. Search building regulation applications and records. |
| Building control reference | No. | Yes. Bromley says do not include the BC/ prefix; for example search 01/01776, not BC/01/01776/OTHFPO. |
| Formal property transaction | Planning search is useful but not enough. | Building-control online history is incomplete and not a substitute for formal land-charge search. |
Documents to Open Before You Comment, Buy or Build
Do not rely only on the application summary. Open the documents and compare the latest uploaded plan with the decision or consultation stage.
Location plan
Check the red line, access land, neighbouring land, road junctions and whether the site boundary matches the proposal.
Drawings and revisions
Read existing and proposed plans, elevations, sections, roof plans, streetscene drawings and latest revision numbers.
Photos
Bromley validation guidance asks for up-to-date, date-stamped site photos where required. Photos help confirm current site context.
Supporting reports
Look for BNG, heritage, flood, drainage, air quality, transport, daylight/sunlight, noise, trees and fire statements where relevant.
Decision notice
Check decision result, approved plan numbers, conditions, reasons for refusal, date and whether details reserved by condition are still outstanding.
Officer or committee report
Delegated reports are available after decision. Committee agendas are normally available five working days before the meeting.
How to Comment on Bromley Planning Applications
Bromley normally gives a 21-day period for comments. Comments can be public and anonymous objections cannot be considered.
Open the application record
Search the reference, address or map result, then open the application page and use Submit comments at the top of the page.
Include your address if you live in the borough
Bromley says the comment route asks for your address so your objection can be properly considered, and objections without an address cannot normally be given weight.
Focus on planning matters
Use points such as impact on lighting, privacy, highway safety, design, heritage, trees, drainage, flood risk, parking, noise, amenity or local policy.
Do not include private information
Your correspondence can be viewed by the public and applicant. Bromley redacts signatures, email addresses and phone numbers, but keep personal data out of the comment body.
| Planning points Bromley can consider | Points Bromley generally cannot consider |
|---|---|
| Lighting, privacy, outlook, design, scale and amenity impacts. | Loss of property value or commercial competition. |
| Highway safety, parking, access and servicing concerns. | Loss of a private view. |
| Heritage, listed building, conservation area and public right of way issues. | Land ownership disputes, private deeds or covenants. |
| Drainage, ecology, trees, flood risk, noise and environmental impacts. | Disturbance during building work or matters covered by other legislation. |
Bromley Planning Permission: Check Before You Apply
Some building work, demolition, extensions and changes of use need planning permission. Some works may be permitted development, but you may still need other consents or building control.
Householder works
Check Planning Portal guidance, Bromley planning history, conservation status, Article 4 restrictions, prior approvals and previous conditions before assuming permitted development applies.
Flats and maisonettes
Bromley’s validation PDF says flats and maisonettes are not treated as householder applications, so the Full Planning Permission form is required.
Lawful Development Certificate
Use an LDC when you need formal evidence that existing or proposed works are lawful for planning purposes.
Apply for Bromley Planning Permission Without Invalid Submission Delays
Bromley says the easiest route is Planning Portal, where you can complete forms, upload documents and calculate fees. Bromley also strongly encourages electronic submission.
Best application route
- Submit through Planning Portal where possible.
- Use the correct application form.
- Complete all form sections, including BNG minimum information where required.
- Sign the correct ownership certificate.
- Use Planning Portal fee calculator and check Bromley fees before payment.
Email and hard-copy cautions
- Bromley’s applying page mentions an 8MB email attachment limit.
- Bromley’s validation page says email or post submissions may incur a £100 additional charge except where Planning Portal cannot be used.
- Bromley says it cannot scan drawings larger than A3 if submitted by post.
- Use the official payment form where Bromley instructs it.
Bromley Validation Requirements: What Must Be Right
Bromley’s validation process checks national and local requirements before the application can move forward. If information is missing, the application can be made invalid.
| Validation item | What Bromley expects | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Application form | Correct form, named applicant, complete sections, accurate proposal description and signed declaration. | Do not duplicate applicant/agent contacts and do not include works that are not part of the application. |
| Ownership certificate | Correct certificate A, B, C or D. Certificate B may be needed if the applicant does not own all red-line land. | Check land ownership, flats, access strips and adjoining land before signing. |
| Application fee | Fee is required unless valid exemption evidence is supplied. | Use fee calculator and include exemption evidence, such as disability proof if claiming disability exemption. |
| Site photos | Up-to-date, date-stamped site photos are required where applicable, ideally as PDF. | Show rear, front, neighbouring context, street scene and internal layout where relevant. |
| PDF files | Documents, photos and plans should be PDFs and individual files, not bundles. | Name each file clearly and remove personal data before upload. |
| Invalid follow-up | Do not submit amendments or missing invalid information through Planning Portal after submission. | Email additional information to planning.admin@bromley.gov.uk if Bromley requests it. |
Official Bromley Validation PDF: Key Rules Converted Into Steps
The validation PDF is one of the most important Bromley planning documents. It explains Part 1 standard requirements and Part 2 technical supporting documents for more complex applications.
Site location plan
The site location plan should be up-to-date, normally at 1:1250 or 1:2500, include a scale bar, show direction of north, identify roads/buildings, outline the site in red and show other applicant-owned adjoining land in blue.
Block plan
Block plans are required for proposed development involving increased built footprint, buildings, boundary treatment or freestanding signage. They should show the proposal in relation to site boundaries and nearby buildings.
BNG information
The application form must include Biodiversity Net Gain minimum information where relevant. More complex applications may also need BNG statements, plans, habitat information or exemption evidence.
Technical statements
Depending on type, scale and location, Bromley’s PDF lists possible supporting documents such as fire statements, flood risk, drainage, heritage, air quality, trees, transport, energy, noise and whole-life carbon evidence.
Planning Fees, Pre-Application Payments and Invalid Charges
Fees change and depend on application type. Use official Bromley and Planning Portal fee pages before payment.
| Payment or charge | What it means | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|
| Planning application fee | Fee for submitting the planning application unless an exemption applies. | Use Planning Portal fee calculator and Bromley fee guidance before payment. |
| £100 email/post charge | Bromley warns email or post submissions may incur an extra charge unless Planning Portal cannot be used. | Use Planning Portal unless Bromley’s route says otherwise. |
| Invalid submission charge | From 17 August 2026 Bromley lists invalid charges: £240 major, £130 minor, £65 householder and £30 all other categories. | Check validation requirements before submission and respond properly if made invalid. |
| Pre-application fee | Bromley publishes separate pre-application advice fees and says figures include VAT. | Check the live fee page, pay online where instructed, and quote the payment reference in your email. |
Bromley Pre-Application Advice: When It Helps
Pre-application advice can help before a formal application, especially where site constraints, design sensitivity or technical documents could make a submission invalid or weak.
Householder advice
Useful for extensions, outbuildings, vehicular access, listed dwellings and proposals following refusal.
New dwellings
Use for conversions, one or more new dwellings, layout questions, parking, access and local-policy fit.
Tree advice
Bromley lists specialist tree advice as a pre-application option where trees affect development.
Report a Bromley Planning Breach Only After Checking the Record
Planning enforcement is for alleged breaches of planning control. It is not for every neighbour dispute or construction nuisance.
Bromley can investigate
- Unauthorised building development.
- Unauthorised change of use.
- Non-compliance with plans or conditions.
- Listed building and conservation area issues.
- Unlawful advertisements.
- Untidy sites where planning control applies.
Bromley says it does not investigate
- Matters solely about noise or smells.
- Methods of building construction alone.
- Private rights of access.
- Neighbour or boundary disputes.
- Works that do not require planning permission.
Bromley Planning Contact Routes
Use the right contact for the task. Prepare reference number, site address, screenshot, document name and exact question before contacting Bromley.
| Need | Bromley route | Prepare before contact |
|---|---|---|
| Planning application search help | planning@bromley.gov.uk or 0208 313 4956 from the search guidance page. | Reference, address, attempted search terms and screenshot of failed search. |
| Validation / submitted application support | planning.admin@bromley.gov.uk or planning support number 020 8313 4956. | Application number, invalid letter, missing item list, payment reference and file names. |
| Building control record | buildingcontrol@bromley.gov.uk or 020 8313 4313. | Building-control reference without BC/ prefix, site address and case officer if known. |
| Planning investigation | planninginvestigation@bromley.gov.uk or 020 8313 4956. | Your name, address, contact details, full site address and alleged breach details. |
Related UKPlanningPortal Guides
These internal links are relevant because they cover similar London or UK planning portal tasks: search, map, comments, applications, validation, building control and official-source use.
Useful Official Bromley Planning Links
Use these official links after reading the matching section above. Check live pages before paying, submitting, commenting or relying on dates.
Independent guide note: this page helps users navigate Bromley planning information. Always complete searches, comments, payments and submissions on official Bromley, Planning Portal or GOV.UK pages.
Bromley Planning Portal FAQs
Where do I search Bromley planning applications?
Use Bromley’s Public Register search guidance and then open the Public Register. You can search applications, documents, comments, weekly lists, historic records, property details and enforcement notices.
How should I search a Bromley planning reference?
Include the suffix, for example 25/00001/FULL5, and do not prefix the reference with DC/. If that fails, try address, postcode, ward, map search or advanced search filters.
Can I use the Bromley planning portal map?
Yes. Bromley’s Public Register map can show planning and building-control applications and can help identify the ward for an address, which is useful for advanced searches and notifications.
How do I login to the Bromley planning portal?
Use Bromley’s online accounts page and choose the planning applications portal. Registering is useful for notifications, saved preferences and tracking.
Where do I search Bromley building control applications?
Use Bromley’s building-control application search guidance. Building regulation records are separate from planning applications and are available from 1985, but the online history is incomplete.
How do I search a Bromley building control reference?
Bromley says not to include the BC/ prefix. For example, to search BC/01/01776/OTHFPO, enter 01/01776.
How long do I have to comment on a Bromley planning application?
Bromley normally gives a 21-day period for comments. Comments may normally be accepted up to the day of decision, but comments received after a decision cannot be considered.
Can I object anonymously to a Bromley planning application?
No. Bromley says it is unable to consider anonymous objections. The comment route may ask for your address so your objection can be properly considered.
How do I apply for Bromley planning permission?
Bromley says the easiest way is to submit through Planning Portal. Check Bromley validation guidance, local requirements, plans, photos, forms and fees before submission.
Why might my Bromley planning application be invalid?
It may be invalid if the form, fee, ownership certificate, plans, photos, PDF files, BNG information, site location plan, block plan or required technical documents are missing or incorrect.