Search, Comment, Apply or Report Through the Right Cornwall Planning Route
Use this page as a task board: open the register, search by map, log in, comment online, set alerts, check permission, submit an application, avoid invalid status or report a breach.
Choose one action. Each card jumps to the exact checklist and official link.
Which Cornwall Planning Website Should You Use?
| User task | Use this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Search a live or historic application | Cornwall online planning register | Find applications, documents, comments, decisions and progress. |
| Comment, object or support | Cornwall register account | Email comments are not accepted; online account is needed. |
| Track a case or set alerts | Cornwall register account | Save searches, track applications and receive updates. |
| Submit a new application | National Planning Portal | Complete forms, upload supporting documents and pay fees. |
| Check site constraints | Interactive maps + documents tab | Trees, heritage, public paths, drainage, conservation and site context. |
Open the Correct Official Page
🔎 Online Planning Register
Search, documents, comments, decisions, tracking and alerts.
Open Register💬 Respond to Applications
Material considerations, AI note, petitions, postal delay and appeal rule.
Comment Rules🏠 Do I Need Permission?
PD rights, building control, HMO, access, LDC and checking service.
Check Route📤 Make Application
Planning Portal, validation timescale, file limits, fees and forms.
Apply Guide✅ Validation Guide
National/local requirements, missing info and plan standards.
Open PDF⚠️ Report Breach
Unauthorised work, use, conditions, approved plans or protected assets.
Report BreachSearch Cornwall Planning Applications Without Getting Lost
Best search first
Use the PA reference from a site notice, letter, email, parish agenda or agent document.
If no reference
Try road, village, parish, farm/cottage name, partial postcode, weekly list or proposal word.
Open the full record
Check status, dates, description, case officer, documents, comments, consultees and decision notice.
Understand missing results
Invalid applications can be removed until extra information arrives. Withdrawn application documents are limited after two years. Pre-app records contain minimal information.
Use Map Search for Rural Sites, Farms and Red-Line Areas
Address search fails, the site is a field/farm/lane, or you only know the nearby road or village.
Zoom until property outlines appear. Land with permission may have a red-line area you can click.
Open the location plan in Documents and confirm the red-line site. Do not rely only on a map pin.
Interactive maps help with conservation areas, historic environment, trees, public rights of way and site constraints.
Login Rules: Comment, Track and Save Alerts
| Task | Login? | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Search/view applications | Usually no | Use reference, address, postcode, keyword or map search. |
| Comment online | Yes | Register/log in, then return to the application. |
| Track application | Yes | Open case, click track, then view in profile. |
| Area alerts | Yes | Search area, save search, choose email notification. |
| Submit new application | Planning Portal | Use national Planning Portal, not public register. |
Alert setup tips
- Full postcode may show only a few properties.
- Remove the final postcode letter for wider nearby results.
- Use advanced search for an entire parish.
- You can create alerts for multiple sites/locations.
- Tracking stops after decision or withdrawal.
- Reserved matters, discharge of conditions, amendments and new applications must be followed separately.
Open These Documents Before Acting
Object, Support or Comment Without Wasting Words
Read latest plan
Check plan number, revision and upload date first.
State position
Object, support or neutral comment. Include PA reference and site address.
Use planning headings
Access, parking, design, drainage, privacy, trees, heritage, ecology, PROW or policy.
Keep publishable
Use your name/address. Avoid personal data, offensive wording and private disputes.
| Useful planning points | Usually weak points |
|---|---|
| Highway safety, access, traffic, parking | House price impact |
| Design, scale, layout, materials | Loss of private view alone |
| Noise, disturbance, smells, flood risk | Developer identity or motives |
| Daylight, privacy, trees, protected species | Private neighbour disputes |
| Planning history, previous decisions, policy | Covenants or land ownership rows |
Do You Need Planning Permission?
Some minor house works may not need planning permission, but rights can be removed by condition or Article 4 direction.
Planning permission and building regulations are different. Some projects need both.
Cornwall’s informal “Do I need?” service gives advice within 20 working days after all information is provided.
Use a Lawful Development Certificate if you need a legal determination.
HMO, access/dropped kerb, solar, air-source heat pump, EV charger, demolition, adverts and business use.
If you build without needed permission or approval, you may have to put things back.
Submit a Cornwall Planning Application Safely
Confirm application type, permission route, ownership certificate, agricultural tenant declaration and fee.
Prepare named PDFs for plans, CIL, BNG, ecology, heritage, flood, drainage and PROW where needed.
Planning Portal file limit increased from 10 MB to 25 MB; still compress and name files clearly.
Applications after 5pm or on non-working days count as received the next working day.
Applications that can be submitted via Planning Portal are no longer accepted by email.
If you use an agent, Cornwall will communicate with the agent about the application.
Validation Checklist: Stop Invalid Status Before It Starts
| Check | Why it matters | Before upload |
|---|---|---|
| National requirements | Required by legislation. | Use correct application checklist. |
| Local requirements | Set by Cornwall as LPA. | Read Cornwall local list items. |
| Missing information | Application stays invalid. | Respond fully to every validation request. |
| 28-day return risk | Application may be returned if information is not supplied. | Watch email after submission. |
| Constraints | Some reports depend on site designations. | Use interactive maps and specialist guidance early. |
Common Reasons Applications Are Invalid
Missing CIL form, wrong/no fee, incomplete ownership certificate, missing agricultural tenant notice.
Wrong location plan, no north point, wrong scale, wrong red line, “do not scale” wording.
PROW not shown, constraints not checked, contaminated-land risk not addressed.
Missing drainage, flood risk, heritage, ecology, bat, barn owl or BNG information.
Upload-Ready Plan Rules
Drawing checklist
- Use an up-to-date map.
- Show red-line application site clearly.
- Show blue-line ownership land where required.
- Use the right paper size, such as A3 if stated.
- Upload files upright, readable and logically named.
- Remove personal phone numbers to reduce redaction delays.
BNG, Ecology and Exemption Checks
Applicable development must deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.
Mandatory nationally from 12 Feb 2024 for major and 2 Apr 2024 for minor/other applicable applications.
May need post-development habitat, metric version, off-site gain, credits, hierarchy and draft management plan.
Even if exempt, some information may still be needed. Do not write “de minimis” without justification.
Permission in Principle does not need BNG at PiP stage; Technical Details Consent deals with it later.
Use the statutory biodiversity metric and current accepted version.
Report a Breach Only After Checking Permission History
Search first
The work may already have permission, PD rights, a lawful certificate, amendment or discharged condition.
Use map if needed
Zoom to the site; if land has permission, click inside the red-line area.
Check planning harm
Residential work is usually investigated only where a high degree of harm can be shown.
Prepare evidence
Name/contact details, site, alleged offender if known, reason, start date, harm, whether ongoing, photos.
| Can be planning enforcement | Usually not planning enforcement |
|---|---|
| Unauthorised building/engineering work | Boundary, high hedge, party wall or covenant dispute |
| Breach of planning condition | Noise, smell or light pollution route |
| Use of land/building without permission | Dangerous structure route |
| Work not following approved plans | Highway or pavement issue |
Search, Login, Map or Upload Not Working?
| Problem | Try first | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| No result found | Reference, road, parish, partial postcode, map, keyword. | Addresses and rural sites vary. |
| Postcode too narrow | Remove the final postcode letter. | Full postcodes can cover few properties. |
| Cannot comment | Register/log in and check case status. | Account required; case may be decided. |
| Register fails | Check connection, wait 20 minutes, then use enquiry form. | Short outages can resolve quickly. |
| Old map link broken | Use current interactive maps page. | Old mapping routes can be decommissioned. |
| Portal upload/payment issue | Contact Planning Portal support. | Portal is separate from Cornwall Council. |
Contact the Right Planning Support Route
0300 1234 151 or planning@cornwall.gov.uk for planning support and general enquiries.
If unable to register for comments, Cornwall lists webmanager@cornwall.gov.uk.
Use Cornwall’s interactive maps guidance and GIS support route for map issues.
support@planningportal.co.uk or 0333 323 4589 for upload, login or payment issues.
Cornwall Council Planning Department, New County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3AY.
Prepare PA reference, address, screenshot, document name and one-line issue summary.
More Cornwall Planning Help
📘 Cornwall Council Planning
Search, applications, permission, comments, validation and breach guidance.
Read Cornwall Council Planning GuideCornwall Planning Portal FAQs
What is the Cornwall Planning Portal used for?
Most users mean Cornwall Council’s online planning register. It is used to search, view, track and comment on planning applications. New applications are submitted through the national Planning Portal.
Where do I search Cornwall planning applications?
Use Cornwall Council’s official online planning register. Start with the PA reference, then try address, postcode, road, village, parish, proposal keyword or map search.
Do I need a login to comment?
Yes. You need a registered Cornwall website account to comment online, track applications and set up notifications.
Can I submit Cornwall planning comments by email?
No. Cornwall Council says public planning comments submitted by email are no longer accepted. Use the online register comment route.
Why can’t I find a planning application?
The address may be recorded differently, the postcode may be too narrow, the application may be invalid and temporarily removed, or withdrawn-application documents may be limited after a period.
How do I get alerts for nearby applications?
Register or log in, search your area, save the search and choose email notifications. For a wider postcode search, remove the final postcode letter.
What is the Planning Portal used for in Cornwall?
The national Planning Portal is used to submit new applications, complete forms, upload documents and pay fees. It is separate from Cornwall Council’s public register.
What makes a Cornwall planning application invalid?
Common causes include missing CIL form, wrong fee, incorrect location plan, missing north point or scale, wrong red line, plans marked “do not scale”, missing PROW, drainage, flood, heritage, ecology or BNG information.
Can neighbours appeal a Cornwall planning approval?
Third parties normally do not have the right to appeal a planning decision. The applicant has the appeal right.
What should I check before reporting a planning breach?
Search planning history first. The work may already have permission, permitted development rights, a lawful certificate, a discharged condition or an amendment.