Find Durham Planning Records Without Using the Wrong Portal
Use this guide when you need Durham planning portal map search, simple search, Public Access login, weekly lists, application documents, online comments or a safer route to submit a new planning application.
The key is knowing which system does what. Durham Public Access is for existing cases, comments, maps and alerts. Planning Portal is for new applications. My Durham is not the planning comment login.
Quick answer: use Durham County Council Public Access to search planning applications, appeals and enforcements. Use Simple Search for a reference, keyword, postcode or address. Use Advanced Search when you need filters. Use Map Search when the site is easier to find on a map than by address.
To comment online, register on Durham Public Access first. To submit a new application, use Planning Portal after checking Durham’s validation checklist and preparing all required plans, forms, certificates and supporting evidence.
Pick the Right Durham Planning Route First
Most Durham planning searches fail because users start in the wrong place. Use these task cards before clicking an official link.
Find an application
Use Public Access Simple Search first. Try the application reference, postcode, one line of address or a short keyword.
Find nearby cases
Use Map Search for farms, fields, former colliery land, estates, schools, business parks, unnamed land or “land north of” sites.
Comment on a live case
Register or log in, read the latest documents, then submit a planning-based comment while comments are open.
Check recent decisions
Use Weekly/Monthly Lists to find applications validated or decided in a chosen week, filtered by parish or ward.
Submit a new application
Use Planning Portal, but check Durham validation requirements before upload or payment.
Report a possible breach
Search planning history first. The work may already have permission, a condition discharge, amendment or lawful certificate.
Durham Public Access vs Planning Portal vs My Durham Explained
These systems are not interchangeable. Public Access is for existing public planning records. Planning Portal is for new submissions. My Durham/Do it online is separate and is not the planning comment login.
| User task | Correct route | What to do next | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| View an existing planning case | Durham Public Access | Use Simple, Advanced, Property, Weekly or Map Search. | Opening Planning Portal and expecting case documents. |
| Find applications near an address | Public Access Map Search | Zoom, click the marker or site, then open the full case record. | Relying only on the map pop-up. |
| Comment on an application | Public Access registration/login | Register, log in, open the case and use the comment function. | Trying to use a general My Durham login. |
| Submit a new planning application | Planning Portal | Choose the correct application type and upload documents. | Submitting before checking Durham’s validation checklist. |
| Check if building regulations are needed | Planning Portal or Durham building control route | Treat building regulations as separate from planning permission. | Assuming planning approval also covers building control. |
Durham Planning Portal Simple Search Step by Step
Simple Search is the best first route when you have one reliable detail. Short, clean searches usually work better than full sentences.
Start with the application reference
Use the reference from a site notice, neighbour letter, parish agenda, decision notice, weekly list or agent email.
Search only the reference first
If the reference was copied from a PDF or email, remove extra punctuation, spaces or copied words around it.
Try postcode or one address line
If there is no reference, try the full postcode, then the road name, village name, property name or one short address line.
Check the record type
Public Access can search planning applications, appeals and enforcements. Make sure you have opened the record type you intended.
Open the full case record
Read the summary, important dates, documents, comments, status, related cases and decision information before acting.
Advanced Search: Use Filters Without Hiding the Case
Advanced Search helps when Simple Search gives too many results. It can also find cases by Planning Portal reference, application type, ward, parish, status, decision, appeal status and date ranges.
| Advanced filter | Best use | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|
| Application reference | Exact case search. | Paste the reference first; if no result appears, search by address too. |
| Planning Portal reference | When you have a portal submission reference but not the council case number. | Search portal and application reference fields separately. |
| Description keyword | Terms like extension, dwelling, solar, HMO, annexe, change of use, telecoms or condition. | Use one keyword at a time for wider recall. |
| Ward or parish | Area monitoring and parish-council checks. | Select area first, then add a date range if results are too broad. |
| Application type | Householder, full planning, listed building, prior approval, trees, condition discharge or variation. | Use this only when you are sure of the type; otherwise keep it broad. |
| Status and decision | Find pending, registered, decided, approved, refused, withdrawn or appeal-related cases. | Check status before commenting because decided cases may not accept comments. |
| Date received, validated, committee or decision | Recent applications, decisions, committee items and historic searches. | Use the date type that matches your question, not every date field at once. |
Durham Planning Portal Map Search: Find Nearby Applications
Map Search is best when you know the location but not the reference. It is especially useful for rural land, large housing sites, school sites, farms, former industrial land and properties with awkward addresses.
Open the official Map Search
Use Durham Public Access Map Search, not a static screenshot, third-party map or search-engine image result.
Pan and zoom before clicking
Move around the map and zoom closer before clicking. Several cases can overlap in town centres, estates and large rural sites.
Click the marker or site area
The pop-up gives brief details. Use it as a pointer only, then open the full Public Access case record.
Use layers and timescale carefully
The layer tool can turn information layers on or off, and the timescale utility can affect how far back displayed cases go.
Save map searches if monitoring an area
Registered users can save rectangular or circular map searches and receive notifications for activity in that selected area.
Weekly and Monthly Lists: Recent Applications and Decisions
Weekly and monthly lists help when you do not know the reference, but you know the week, parish, ward or decision period.
Validated in this week
Use this when checking newly registered applications. Filter by parish, ward and week beginning to avoid a long county-wide list.
Decided in this week
Use this to find approvals, refusals, withdrawals or other outcomes. Open the decision notice because conditions can be more important than the headline result.
Durham Planning Portal Login: Register for Public Access
Registration gives extra Public Access tools, including tracking applications, saving searches and email notifications about tracked applications or new search results.
| Need | Use | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Comment on a planning application | Public Access registration/login | Email address, password and the application reference or site address. |
| Track one case | Tracked Applications in your profile | Find the case first, then use the tracking option. |
| Save a search | Saved Searches | Run the search, save it and check notification settings. |
| Map-area alerts | Saved rectangular or circular map search | Zoom to the right area before saving the map search. |
| Technical website issue | Public Access support route | Screenshot, browser, device, page URL and clear error description. |
Documents to Open Before You Comment, Buy or Build
Do not judge a case from the proposal line. Planning impact is normally in the latest drawing, decision notice, officer report, consultee response, ecology note or condition wording.
| Document | What it tells you | What to check carefully |
|---|---|---|
| Application form | Applicant, agent, application type, description and certificates. | Ownership certificate, site address, proposal wording and whether it matches the plans. |
| Location plan | Defines the application site. | Red line, blue line, north point, road access, surrounding buildings and scale. |
| Block or site plan | Shows layout, boundaries, access, parking and nearby features. | Visibility, trees, public rights of way, levels, drainage, parking and neighbour relationship. |
| Existing and proposed drawings | Shows the physical change. | Revision letters, drawing dates, window positions, height, ridge level, roof form and materials. |
| Technical reports | Can cover drainage, flood risk, ecology, BNG, trees, heritage, highways, noise, land stability or contamination. | Missing surveys, mitigation, consultee objections and requested conditions. |
| Officer report | Explains the planning assessment and recommendation. | Material considerations, policy balance, consultee comments and reasons for decision. |
| Decision notice | Shows approval, refusal and conditions. | Approved plan numbers, expiry date, pre-commencement conditions and refusal reasons. |
Comment, Object or Support a Durham Planning Application
A strong comment is short, specific and linked to planning matters. It should explain a planning impact, not only personal dislike.
Register or log in
Use Durham Public Access registration before submitting a comment. Keep your login details for tracking and future saved searches.
Check status and important dates
Confirm whether the case is still open for comments. A decided or closed case may not show a comment option.
Read the latest documents
Check whether a new plan revision, ecology note, drainage plan, transport response or officer update has replaced the version you first saw.
Use planning headings
Use headings such as design, scale, privacy, daylight, traffic, parking, highway safety, drainage, trees, ecology, heritage, noise, odour or policy.
Ask for a planning outcome
You can ask for refusal, amended plans, more evidence, reduced height, obscure glazing, safer access, drainage details or tree protection.
| Useful planning issue | Weak wording | Better wording |
|---|---|---|
| Highway safety, parking and access | There will be more cars. | Explain visibility, road width, junction conflict, turning, parking stress or pedestrian safety. |
| Privacy, daylight and overshadowing | I do not like it near me. | Refer to window positions, boundary levels, separation distance, orientation and height. |
| Design, scale and character | It looks ugly. | Explain ridge height, massing, materials, street scene, landscape or conservation impact. |
| Drainage, flood risk and land stability | The ground is bad. | Refer to watercourse, levels, SuDS, former mining, contamination, steep land or missing drainage information. |
| Trees, ecology and biodiversity | Wildlife might be affected. | Identify trees, hedgerows, bats, birds, watercourses, habitats, BNG evidence or missing survey details. |
| Usually not planning | House value, private view, boundary dispute, covenant or personality conflict. | Keep these out unless they link directly to a material planning issue. |
Check Whether You Need Durham Planning Permission
Some work may be permitted development, but County Durham sites can have local constraints, planning conditions, heritage issues, tree controls, former mining risk or ecology requirements.
House extensions and outbuildings
Check permitted development limits, previous permissions, roof changes, height, position, materials and whether the property is a house or flat.
Listed buildings and conservation
Listed building consent and conservation area controls can apply even where the visible change looks small.
Rural and agricultural sites
Barns, farms, tracks, hardstanding, glamping, solar, prior approval and change of use need careful routing and evidence.
Former mining and stability
Former colliery and mining areas may need land-stability, contamination or ground-risk information.
Trees, hedgerows and ecology
Protected species, trees, hedgerows, watercourses and habitats can affect validation and design.
Lawful development certificate
If you need formal certainty for sale, mortgage, enforcement or future records, consider a lawful development certificate route.
Apply Online: Planning Portal Plus Durham Validation
Planning Portal is the online submission route for most applications, but a valid Durham submission still depends on the right form, fee, ownership certificate, plans and local-list evidence.
Before opening Planning Portal
- Confirm the correct application type.
- Check whether permission is needed or whether prior approval / lawful certificate is better.
- Prepare ownership certificate and agricultural tenancy information where required.
- Prepare a location plan with the correct red-line boundary.
- Prepare existing and proposed drawings with scale bar, north point and revision numbers.
- Check Durham’s validation checklist for local requirements.
Before paying the fee
- Check every PDF opens and is correctly named.
- Make sure the red line matches the site plan and proposal description.
- Do not omit required reports silently.
- Check BNG, ecology, heritage, drainage, transport and land-stability triggers.
- Keep a copy of the submitted form, receipt and Planning Portal reference.
- Watch for validation queries from the council.
Durham Validation Checklist: Turn the PDF Into Actions
The validation checklist should be used before payment and upload. Treat it as a pre-submit audit, not as a document to read after the application is marked invalid.
| Validation item | Plain-English meaning | Action before submission |
|---|---|---|
| National requirements | Core items needed nationally. | Check application form, fee, ownership certificate, location plan and mandatory statements. |
| Local requirements | Durham-specific evidence based on proposal and site constraints. | Use the local validation checklist, not only Planning Portal prompts. |
| Reasoned justification | If a checklist item is not supplied, explain why it is not needed. | Do not silently leave out ecology, drainage, heritage or transport evidence. |
| Plans and drawings | Plans must be clear enough for consultation and assessment. | Use plan references, scale bars, north point, revision numbers and consistent red-line boundaries. |
| Specialist reports | Some sites need technical evidence. | Check flood risk, drainage, heritage, ecology, BNG, trees, transport, noise, mining, contamination and land stability. |
| Consistency | All documents should tell the same story. | Match proposal description, red line, site plan, elevations, access, floor plans and statements. |
Durham Local Planning Constraints Generic Guides Miss
County Durham has city, village, rural, industrial, mining, heritage and landscape contexts. These local details affect both searching and applying.
Former mining land
Mining legacy and ground stability can trigger land-stability, contamination or ground-risk evidence.
Heritage and conservation
Durham’s historic buildings, conservation areas and sensitive settings can affect windows, roofs, materials, demolition, signage and extensions.
Trees and landscape
TPOs, hedgerows, landscape setting and rural views can require arboricultural or landscape evidence.
Flooding and drainage
River valleys, sloping sites and surface water issues can make flood risk and drainage details important.
Parking and access
Village roads, rural lanes, schools, estates and business parks need safe access, turning and parking evidence where relevant.
Parish and ward context
Use ward, parish and weekly-list filters to understand nearby activity and local decision patterns.
BNG, Ecology and Habitat Checks Before Submission
BNG can be a validation issue as well as a post-permission issue. For non-exempt development, applicants should consider habitat baseline, metric evidence, hierarchy, off-site units and gain plan requirements before finalising the layout.
BNG pre-submit checks
- Check whether the application is exempt from BNG.
- Do not clear vegetation before ecology advice if habitat value matters.
- Prepare baseline habitat information where required.
- Use the correct statutory biodiversity metric where required.
- Show on-site habitat on scaled plans with north direction where required.
- Check whether a biodiversity gain plan will be needed after permission.
Ecology and survey triggers
- Older buildings, barns, roof spaces and trees can trigger bat or bird surveys.
- Watercourses, woodland, hedgerows and grassland can require ecology evidence.
- Seasonal survey windows can delay applications if left too late.
- BNG evidence does not automatically replace protected-species evidence.
- Show trees, hedgerows and habitat areas clearly on site plans.
- Explain mitigation, enhancement and management where required.
Appeals and Enforcement: Use the Correct Route
Appeals and enforcement are separate from ordinary application search. Search history first, then use the correct official route.
Planning appeals
Applicants can appeal certain refusals, conditions, non-determination or enforcement notices through the Planning Inspectorate route. Neighbours usually cannot appeal simply because permission was granted.
- Read the decision notice first.
- Check the application and appeal status in Public Access.
- Use GOV.UK appeal guidance for the correct appeal type.
- Do not miss deadlines because you emailed the wrong team.
Planning enforcement
Search the site history before reporting. The work may already have permission, a lawful certificate, prior approval, condition discharge or amendment.
- Collect the site address and description of the alleged breach.
- Note when the work or use started.
- Explain planning harm, not private disagreement.
- Add photos if safe and relevant.
- Do not use enforcement for boundary, covenant or party-wall disputes.
If Durham Public Access Does Not Work
Most portal issues are search, browser, date filter or login problems. Try these fixes before contacting support.
| Problem | Likely reason | Try this first |
|---|---|---|
| No result found | Search too exact, wrong reference, wrong status or wrong date range. | Use fewer words, postcode only, road name only, map search, property search or weekly list. |
| Too many results | Search too broad. | Add ward, parish, village, status, date range or application type in Advanced Search. |
| Comment option missing | Not logged in, case closed, case decided or comments not open. | Log in, check status and important dates, then open the correct record. |
| Map not loading | Browser, cache, scripts, pop-up or network issue. | Use desktop, refresh, allow scripts/pop-ups, clear cache or use Simple Search instead. |
| Documents not opening | PDF blocked, pop-up blocked or mobile browser issue. | Open in a new tab, download on desktop or switch browser. |
| Technical site fault | Public Access issue. | Email planning system support with “Public Access” in the subject, plus screenshot, device, browser and page link. |
Related UKPlanningPortal Guides for Better Navigation
These internal links are limited to pages that help with the same user journey: public-register search, map/area search, county planning, and safe use of official sources.
Official Durham Planning Links by Task
Open the link that matches your task. Keep the reference, address, postcode, drawing number or Planning Portal reference ready.
Independent guide note: this page helps you navigate Durham planning tasks. Always verify live records, fees, deadlines, validation requirements, comment status, appeal rules and official forms on Durham County Council, GOV.UK or Planning Portal before acting.
Durham Planning Portal FAQs
Where do I search Durham planning applications?
Use Durham County Council Public Access Simple Search. You can search planning applications, appeals and enforcements by keyword, application reference, postcode or a single line of address.
What is the Durham planning portal map search?
Map Search lets you pan and zoom around County Durham, click a case or property on the map, view brief pop-up details and open the full Public Access case record.
Do I need a Durham planning portal login to comment?
Yes. Durham Public Access says the site is not linked to Do it online/My Durham, and users must register on Public Access to comment on an application.
What can I search in Durham Public Access?
You can search planning applications, appeals and enforcements. Search options include Simple Search, Advanced Search, Weekly/Monthly Lists, Property Search and Map Search.
How do I find recent Durham planning decisions?
Use Weekly/Monthly Lists and choose applications decided in the relevant week. You can filter by parish, ward and week beginning to narrow the results.
Why is my Durham planning search showing no results?
The search may be too exact, the reference may be copied incorrectly, the wrong status or date filter may be selected, or the site may be better found by road, village, parish, property or map search.
How do I submit a Durham planning application?
Use Planning Portal for new applications, but check Durham’s validation checklist first so the form, fee, certificates, location plan, drawings and local supporting documents are ready.
What documents should I read before objecting?
Read the location plan, site plan, proposed drawings, design statement, ecology or tree reports, consultee comments, officer report, decision notice and any revised documents.
Does Biodiversity Net Gain apply in Durham?
BNG can apply to non-exempt development in England. Applicants should check exemptions, habitat baseline information, biodiversity metric requirements and any biodiversity gain plan obligations before submission.
Can neighbours appeal a Durham planning decision?
Neighbours usually cannot appeal just because permission was granted. Planning appeals are generally for applicants or those served with relevant notices, using the Planning Inspectorate route.