Search Solihull Planning Records Before You Comment, Track or Apply
Use this guide to search Solihull planning applications, use the free Public Access map, log in for tracking or comments, check planning permission, understand historic-record limits and prepare a better application before paying a fee.
It explains the difference between Solihull Public Access, Planning Portal submissions, map search, weekly lists, address search, saved searches, local validation criteria and the official PDF user guide.
Quick answer: the Solihull planning portal is the council’s Public Access system. Use it to search planning applications, building control links, appeals and enforcement records, comment on proposed development and track applications. Use the Planning Portal when submitting a new planning application. Use the map search when you know the area but not the exact address or application reference.
Solihull says Public Access contains planning applications received since 1947 where possible, but some historic documents are not instantly available online. It also says 2000–2006 planning data is affected by a scanning exercise, pre-2000 records are held on microfiche, and building regulation application data is limited by legal requirements and a 15-year retention period.
Start With the Correct Solihull Council Portal Route
The search terms “Solihull planning portal”, “Solihull planning portal map”, “Solihull planning portal login” and “Solihull planning applications search” all point to slightly different tasks. Use the right route first.
I need to search planning applications
Use Public Access simple search. Search by PL/ reference, keyword, postcode or one address line. Use advanced search for dates, ward or parish filters.
I need the free planning map
Use Public Access map search. Zoom into an area, click a case, open the pop-up and jump to the full application record.
I need login or registration
Use the official Public Access login/register option. Login is needed for tracking, saved searches and online comments.
I want to comment
Open the application, click the comments tab and register before submitting. Draft comments elsewhere first because Public Access times out after 30 minutes.
I need planning permission advice
Use Solihull’s “Do I need planning permission?” page, Planning Portal guidance or a Lawful Development Certificate for formal certainty.
I need to apply
Use the Planning Portal where possible. Prepare the form, fee, location plan, site plan, ownership certificate and scale-bar drawings.
How to Use Solihull Planning Portal Search
The Public Access search works best when you start with the strongest identifier and only widen the search if the first attempt fails.
Use the PL/ reference first
If you have a neighbourhood notification letter, site notice or agent email, use the reference beginning with PL/ in the search box. This is normally the fastest route to the exact application.
Try postcode or one address line
If you do not have the reference, search by postcode, property name, house number, street name or one clean address line. Avoid long phrases.
Use advanced search for complex searches
Use date ranges, ward or parish filters when there are many results or when you are searching a village, hamlet, school, business park, rural site or estate.
Use property search for site history
Property search can show planning applications, planning appeals, planning enforcements, building control applications and building control contraventions relating to a property.
Use weekly or monthly lists
Use weekly/monthly lists to find applications validated or decided in a selected week, with optional parish or ward narrowing.
Solihull Planning Portal Map, Login and Free Access
The Solihull planning portal map is free to use online. Login is only needed for features such as saved searches, tracking and submitting comments.
| Feature | What it does | User tip |
|---|---|---|
| Simple search | Search by application reference, keyword, postcode or single address line. | Start with PL/ reference where possible. |
| Advanced search | More complex searches including date ranges and ward/parish fields. | Use when a village, ward, date range or parish matters. |
| Property search | Search current or historic cases relating to an address. | Useful for purchase checks, alterations history and older works. |
| Map search | Identify planning applications, appeals and enforcements in a map area. | Use pan/zoom, click a case, then open full details from the pop-up. |
| Saved map search | Save a rectangular or circular search and receive notifications for new activity. | You must be logged in to save map searches. |
| Tracking | Track one application and receive progress notifications. | Open the case and use the Track button after registering/logging in. |
Solihull Planning Portal Map PDF and Public Access User Guide
Users often search for “Solihull planning portal map PDF”. The useful official PDF is the Public Access User Guide. It explains simple search, advanced search, property search, map search, registration, saved searches, tracking, weekly/monthly lists, documents, measuring plans and comments.
What the PDF says about map search
- Map search can identify planning applications, appeals and enforcements within a specified area of the borough.
- You can zoom, pan and use the simple search to bring up an application and then open the map tab.
- You can enable filters and choose layers and time periods.
- You can save a rectangular search or circular search if you are logged in.
- Email alerts can be sent when new applications appear within the saved search area.
What the PDF says about login
- Click Register on the grey toolbar.
- Complete your details.
- Use the confirmation email link to complete registration.
- Login to save searches, track applications and comment.
- Keep your email address current so tracking notifications arrive.
Historic Solihull Planning Records: What Public Access May Not Show
Solihull has a long planning archive, but old records are not always instantly downloadable. This matters for buyers, sellers, extensions, enforcement concerns and retrospective applications.
| Record period or type | What Solihull says | What the user should do |
|---|---|---|
| Planning applications since 1947 | Public Access contains a record of all planning applications received since 1947 where possible. | Search first, then request offline records where documents are not online. |
| 2000–2006 documents | Solihull says a scanning exercise affects planning information and document retrieval between 2000 and 2006. | Expect gaps and contact planning@solihull.gov.uk where needed. |
| 2004–January 2015 | Decision notices are now included for applications received between 2004 and January 2015. | Check documents and decision-notice tabs before requesting records. |
| Pre-2000 records | Records before 2000 are held at Council House on microfiche. | Email planning@solihull.gov.uk to request viewing. |
| Building regulation applications | Public data is limited due to legal requirements and a 15-year retention period. | Do not rely on Public Access as a complete building-control history for older works. |
Documents to Open Before You Comment, Buy or Build
Open the full record before making a planning decision. The summary line is not enough.
| Document or tab | What it tells you | Micro-check |
|---|---|---|
| Details tab | Application type, address, proposal and status. | Check whether it is planning, appeal, enforcement, building control or another case type. |
| Documents tab | Plans, forms, statements, reports, decision notices and consultation material. | Click the magnifying-glass icon to open individual documents. |
| Related cases | Earlier applications, amendments, appeals or enforcement links. | Open related cases before assuming the site has a clean history. |
| Map tab | Spatial location and nearby cases. | Use it to understand context, but not as legal proof of a boundary. |
| Comments tab | Comment route and comment status. | Solihull does not publish public comments online as a matter of course. |
| Decision notice | Decision, conditions, approved plan numbers and reasons. | Check whether conditions must be discharged before work starts. |
How to Comment, Object or Support in Solihull
Anyone can comment on a proposed development by finding the application and using the comments tab. You will be asked to register before submitting your comment.
Planning points that can matter
- Design, scale, massing, layout and materials.
- Privacy, overlooking, daylight, outlook and residential amenity.
- Traffic, access, parking, road safety and public rights of way.
- Flood risk, drainage, trees, ecology and landscape impact.
- Listed buildings, conservation areas and heritage setting.
- Noise, opening hours, land-use compatibility and local policy.
- Green Belt, village character or neighbourhood plan issues where relevant.
Points Solihull says are not planning matters
- Business competition.
- Loss of private view from your property.
- Potential reduction in property value.
- Land ownership disputes.
- Party wall matters.
- Issues controlled by other legislation.
- Anonymous comments; Solihull says anonymous comments cannot be considered.
Draft outside Public Access first
Public Access times out after 30 minutes. Write your comment in Notes, Word or a text app first, then paste it into the comment box.
Include your name and address
Solihull says comments must include your name and address. Anonymous comments cannot be considered.
Use the comment tab
Find the application, click Comments, use Make a Comment, choose commenter type, choose stance and enter your comment.
Check your confirmation email
If your comment is submitted correctly, Solihull says you should receive a confirmation email. If not, contact the council on 0121 704 8008.
Solihull Planning Permission Checks Before You Apply
Not every home improvement needs planning permission, but Solihull points users to Planning Portal guidance and formal Lawful Development Certificates where certainty is needed.
Common home projects
Check conservatories, extensions, loft conversions, porches, outbuildings, driveways, solar panels, EV charging, heat pumps and working-from-home changes before applying.
Permitted development limits
Solihull says informal permitted-development enquiries are no longer considered by the planning team. Use Planning Portal guidance or a certificate route for formal certainty.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Listed buildings, conservation areas and locally listed heritage assets may need extra permission or supporting information even for small changes.
Trees and TPOs
Check tree preservation orders before pruning, removing or working near protected trees. Tree constraints can affect extensions, access and landscaping.
Commercial and change of use
Commercial, retail, industrial, warehouse, advert, signage and agricultural proposals can require different forms, fees and supporting evidence.
Lawful Development Certificate
Use a Lawful Development Certificate for formal proof that proposed or existing works are lawful for planning purposes.
Apply for Solihull Planning Permission Through the Right Portal
Solihull encourages new planning applications to be submitted via the Planning Portal. You can also download printable forms from the Planning Portal and email or post them to Development Management.
Minimum standard application pack
- Completed application form.
- Location plan.
- Site plan.
- Ownership certificate.
- Correct application fee.
- Plans submitted to scale.
- Scale bar clearly shown on drawings.
Fee and refund checks
- Use the Planning Portal fee calculator for the current statutory fee.
- Check the Planning Portal service charge before checkout.
- From 1 April 2026, Solihull applies a £38.50 administration fee to some refunds where no case-officer work has started.
- If the case officer has already started work, a refund is unlikely unless a national legal requirement or exceptional case-specific circumstance applies.
Solihull Local Validation Checklist and Drawing Rules
Solihull’s local validation criteria are designed to make assessment timely and consistent. Requirements should be relevant, necessary, material and proportionate to the scale and type of proposal.
| Validation item | Official requirement clue | Micro-fix before upload |
|---|---|---|
| Location plan | Shows the application site in relation to surroundings, with red line and other nearby applicant-owned land in blue. | Use an up-to-date plan, show at least two named roads where possible, orient to OS Grid North and include a linear scale bar. |
| Block/site plan | Shows existing and proposed site layout, buildings, boundaries, access, footpaths, public rights of way, trees and landscaping. | Use a recognised scale, label roads/buildings, show boundaries, dimensions and neighbouring context. |
| Extensions near neighbours | The local criteria mention 45-degree line information from nearest habitable room windows in relevant residential cases. | Show the 45-degree line clearly where applicable and add width/depth dimensions. |
| Existing and proposed elevations | Needed for new buildings or alterations to the exterior, including extensions. | Show full elevations, materials, windows, doors, adjoining building relationship, ridge/eaves heights and revision numbers. |
| Existing and proposed floor plans | Needed for new/amended floorspace or alterations to buildings. | Label rooms, show demolished walls, place existing/proposed layouts clearly and annotate extension dimensions. |
| Design and Access Statement | Required for major development, some conservation-area development and listed-building consent. | Explain design thinking, site context, access, heritage, constraints, consultation and how the scheme evolved. |
Local Solihull Planning Issues Generic Articles Miss
Solihull includes urban areas, mature suburbs, villages, Green Belt, conservation areas, listed buildings, HS2-related submissions and neighbourhood plan areas. Check site context before assuming a simple answer.
Green Belt and village edge sites
Rural edges, village settings and Green Belt land can trigger stronger policy scrutiny, landscape evidence and design justification.
Neighbourhood plans
Solihull’s planning policy page lists made neighbourhood development plans including Hampton in Arden, Knowle/Dorridge/Bentley Heath, Berkswell, Balsall and Meriden.
Listed and locally listed assets
Listed-building works can require consent for demolition, internal alterations, roofing, windows, cladding, extensions, unsympathetic repairs and new flues.
HS2 Schedule 17 submissions
Some HS2 submissions are not ordinary planning applications. They deal with design and construction details under the HS2 Act framework.
Flood, drainage and ecology
Drainage, public rights of way, trees, ponds, hedgerows and ecological features may need proportionate evidence in the local validation process.
Historic construction work
Older extensions or outbuildings may need planning history, building-control evidence, lawful development certificate or retrospective consent checks.
Planning Committee, Public Speaking and HS2 Applications
Not every application is decided at committee, but significant proposals may be. Solihull says planning committee is held every four weeks and is open to the public, with pre-registration needed if you want to speak.
Public speaking at committee
- Register to speak if the application is to be heard at committee.
- Check the agenda and officer report before speaking.
- Public statements must fit the permitted speaking time.
- Where multiple people wish to speak, nominate a spokesperson if required.
- Submit any required written statement by the council’s published deadline.
HS2 Schedule 17 submissions
Solihull explains that HS2 has outline-style permission through the Act, with some later design and construction details submitted to the council as Schedule 17 submissions. These are not normal planning applications and have different grounds for refusal or conditioning.
Planning Enforcement and Retrospective Work
Use enforcement only for genuine planning or building-control issues after checking whether permission, prior approval, lawful development or building regulation approval already exists.
Enforcement records
For notices issued from 2016 onwards, Solihull says details can be accessed directly through Public Access. For pre-2016 records, the council has a historic paper register and index; older pre-1982 records require email contact.
- Search the application history first.
- Search enforcement records by address or reference.
- Record dates, photos and exact location.
- Do not report private boundary disputes as planning breaches.
Retrospective applications
Solihull says it may be possible to apply for permission after works have started or finished. For older development, a Lawful Development Certificate may be appropriate.
- Apply for retrospective planning permission where needed.
- Use a lawful development certificate for older lawful works.
- Use building control regularisation for unauthorised building work where applicable.
- Get advice quickly if you receive a formal notice.
Related Planning Guides for Similar Search Tasks
These internal links are relevant to the same user journey: planning portal search, map use, comments, validation, official links and local constraints.
Official Solihull Planning Links After You Know Your Task
Use the official link that matches your task. Check live council and Planning Portal pages before submitting comments, fees, forms or application documents.
Independent guide note: this page helps you navigate Solihull planning tasks. Always verify live fees, consultation deadlines, forms, planning records, validation rules and decisions on official Solihull, GOV.UK or Planning Portal pages before acting.
Solihull Planning Portal FAQs
Where do I search Solihull planning applications?
Use Solihull Public Access simple search. You can search by PL/ reference number, keyword, postcode or a single line of address.
Is the Solihull planning portal map free?
Yes. The Public Access map search is free to use online. Login is only needed for saved map searches, tracking and online comment features.
How do I use Solihull planning portal login?
Open Public Access and use the official Register or Login option. You need an account to submit comments, track applications and save searches.
Can I save a Solihull planning map search?
Yes. The user guide says registered users can save rectangular or circular map searches and receive email notifications when new applications appear in the saved area.
How do I comment on a Solihull planning application?
Search the application, open the Comments tab, click Make a Comment, register or log in, choose your stance and submit your written planning comment.
How long is the Solihull consultation period?
Solihull says comments received during the 21-day formal consultation will be taken into account, and the council endeavours to consider later correspondence up until the decision is made.
Will my Solihull planning comment appear online?
No, not normally. Solihull says public comments are not shown on the website as a matter of course, but may be shared on request with certain personal details redacted.
What documents do I need for a Solihull planning application?
For standard applications, Solihull lists the application form, location plan, site plan, ownership certificate and correct fee. Plans must be to scale and include a clear scale bar.
Why can I not find old Solihull planning plans?
Some historic documents are not instantly available online. Solihull says 2000–2006 retrieval is affected by scanning and pre-2000 records are on microfiche at the Council House.
Do I need planning permission for a home project in Solihull?
It depends on the project and property constraints. Check the Planning Portal, Solihull’s permission page and permitted-development guidance. Use a Lawful Development Certificate if you need formal proof.