Edinburgh Planning Portal: Simple Search, Map, Login & Building Warrant

I need to find a planning application

Use Planning Simple Search, Advanced Search, Weekly/Monthly Lists, Property Search or Map Search on the City of Edinburgh Planning and Building Standards Portal.

I need to comment

Register or log in, open the application, read the latest plans, then comment on material planning considerations before the consultation deadline.

I only know the location

Use Map Search or Property Search. This is better for land parcels, tenements, closes, gardens, mews lanes, vacant land and large development sites.

I need to submit planning permission

Use ePlanning Scotland through eDevelopment, not the England and Wales Planning Portal. Use the “Which Form?” wizard if the form is unclear.

I need a building warrant

Use eBuilding Standards to apply, and Building Standards Simple Search or the Building Standards register to search records.

I am buying, selling or letting

Check planning history, building warrant records, completion certificate status, listed building consent, short-term let status and any enforcement or notice record.

What Property Search can show

• Unique Property Reference Number.
• Full address, ward and community council.
• Planning applications, appeals and enforcements.
• Building warrants and notices.
• Historic information as well as active cases.
• Constraints tab and map location.

How to search tricky properties

• Use A to Z Street Search if the exact address is unclear.
• Search the stair or building number before the flat position.
• Check related cases for older permissions and warrants.
• Use map search if the record relates to shared land or rear access.
• For buying or selling, check completion certificate records too.

Register before commenting

Create your account before drafting a long response. You may need email verification, and portal sessions can time out.

Track one application

Use tracking when you want updates for one case, such as new documents, status changes, committee notes or a decision.

Save area searches

Saved searches are better for streets, conservation areas, school sites, neighbourhoods or map areas where new proposals may appear.

Search Building Standards records

• Use Building Standards Simple Search.
• Search by address, postcode or application number.
• Check notices and completion certificate links where available.
• Use Property Search to see building warrants alongside planning history.
• Contact the Plan Store if you need building warrant drawings.

Why buyers and sellers need warrant records

• Attic conversions, extensions and wall removals often need warrant evidence.
• Approved plans and completion certificates can be needed during sale.
• Expired warrants or missing completion certificates can delay missives.
• Search planning and building records together, not one or the other.

Valid warrant package

• Completed application form.
• Suitable drawings and specification.
• Prescribed fee.
• Additional supporting documents form when submitting revised or extra information.
• Correct council reference number, for example 24/12345/WARR.

Avoid these warrant delays

• Do not combine numbers and letters in drawing revisions, such as A/1.
• Do not submit piecemeal replies to a Building Standards report.
• Do not reuse stamped drawings from the original warrant for an amendment.
• Do not underestimate cost of works; the council may check against BCIS.
• Do not assume cheque or phone payment is accepted.

Material planning points

• Traffic, parking and access.
• Appearance of the area.
• Impact on a conservation area.
• Setting or character of a listed building.
• Loss of significant landscape features.
• Noise and disturbance.
• Cooking odours.
• Loss of sunlight or daylight.
• Overshadowing and privacy.

Usually not relevant

• Loss of private view.
• Effect on property values.
• Building regulation matters inside a planning comment.
• Private legal disputes or ownership arguments.
• Racist, discriminatory or abusive remarks.
• Repeated copied text with no site-specific evidence.

Planning route for short-term lets

• Use ePlanning Scotland.
• Use “Which Form?” and select the correct form for permission in all other circumstances.
• Do not use the residential works form for short-term let use.
• State if the use is already operating in retrospect.
• Include floor area in square metres for the fee calculation.

Short-term let document checks

• 1:1250 location plan with site boundary marked red.
• Existing and proposed floor plans at 1:50 or 1:100.
• For flats, show relationship to common stair, floor level and neighbouring properties.
• Show all window and door openings.
• Include internal room divisions and current use.
• Provide a scale bar and NPF4 Policy 30(e) statement.

Delegated decisions

Many local applications are decided by planning officers under the council’s delegation scheme, especially where wider issues or controversy are limited.

Committee cases

More significant or controversial applications can go to councillors. Public comments may be summarised in the committee report.

Appeal or review

The decision notice should tell the applicant whether the route is a local review or an appeal. Interested neighbours normally comment during the application stage.

Buyer checklist

• Search planning records by property, address and map.
• Search building warrant records by address, postcode or application number.
• Check completion certificates for extensions, attic conversions and structural works.
• Check listed building consent for internal and external changes.
• Check enforcement and notices if works look recent or unusual.

Seller checklist

• Collect decision notices and approved drawings.
• Collect building warrant approvals and completion acceptance notices.
• Check whether older works have missing paperwork.
• Resolve completion certificates before listing where possible.
• Keep warrant documents with title deeds, as Edinburgh recommends.