Research Methodology
How we research UK planning topics, verify official sources, and build practical guides around real user tasks.
Research Methodology
Our research methodology is built around UK planning user intent, official-source confirmation, and manual review. A useful planning guide must answer the practical question: what is the user trying to do, which public body usually handles it, and what should they verify before acting?
Core Research Questions
| User Need | Likely Official Source | What We Explain |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need planning permission? | GOV.UK, Planning Portal, local planning authority | Common triggers, permitted development cautions, and why local checks matter |
| How do I apply? | Planning Portal or local council application process | Account, form, documents, fee, validation, and council review basics |
| Can I comment on an application? | Local council planning register | Search, reference number, public comments, material planning considerations, deadlines |
| What if work already started? | Local planning authority or professional advice | Retrospective application and enforcement caution in general terms |
| Do I need building regulations approval? | GOV.UK, building control body, council building control | Planning and building regulations are different and both may be needed |
Human Review
Research does not stop at finding a page. We review whether the official source matches the user task, whether our wording is easy to understand, whether the page includes enough warning for risky decisions, and whether the user has a clear next step.
Quality Signals
We look for practical completeness: official link, office role, document checklist, warning section, plain-language steps, update/correction path, and a clear statement that the final decision belongs to the official authority.
Research Limitation
Planning decisions are case-specific. A guide can explain the process, but it cannot confirm whether a specific proposal is lawful, valid, acceptable, appealable, or immune from enforcement. That confirmation must come from the official authority or a qualified adviser.