Planning intelligence

Planning research guides

Understand what has happened at the address, how similar local proposals were decided and which conditions or constraints could change the route.

16 practical guides

Start with the question you need to answer.

Each guide separates what the available evidence can show from what still needs an official search, measured design or professional opinion.

01

How to check the planning history of a property

Find and interpret planning applications, decisions, drawings and conditions for a UK property without confusing nearby records with the subject address.

02

Buying a house with an extension

What to check when a property already has an extension, including planning history, permitted development, building regulations and evidence gaps.

03

What “approved with conditions” means

Understand planning conditions, pre-commencement requirements, approved drawings and why a conditional approval is not an unrestricted green light.

04

How to use local planning precedents

Use nearby planning decisions intelligently by comparing proposal, property, setting, conditions, refusals and documentary evidence.

05

How to assess planning-permission likelihood

Build an evidence-led view of planning prospects from policy, constraints, local precedents, conditions and the details of the proposed work.

06

Article 4 directions explained

Understand how an Article 4 direction can remove specified permitted-development rights and what to verify before relying on general rules.

07

Conservation-area restrictions

Research conservation-area status, Article 4 directions, local appraisals and the effect of character and appearance on proposed work.

08

How to read a planning decision notice

Read the decision, approved drawings, conditions, reasons and informatives so a planning status is not taken out of context.

09

How to interpret planning refusal reasons

Understand planning refusal reasons, cited policy, design impacts and how rejected local schemes can improve a future proposal.

10

Which planning-application documents matter

Prioritise decision notices, officer reports, drawings, design statements and specialist reports when researching a planning application.

11

Rear-extension planning research

Research rear-extension depth, height, neighbour relationships, conditions and comparable local decisions before designing a scheme.

12

Loft-conversion planning research

Check loft-conversion routes, roof alterations, dormer precedents, heritage constraints and recurring local planning conditions.

13

Side-extension planning research

Assess side-extension width, set-back, spacing, street character and local precedent before relying on a nearby approval.

14

Additional-storey planning research

Research upward extensions through building height, roof form, heritage, neighbour impact, prior-approval routes and local decisions.

15

Roof-terrace planning research

Research overlooking, noise, access, screening and recurring local conditions for roof terraces and balconies.

16

Change-of-use planning research

Research existing and proposed uses, planning history, use classes, permitted changes and local impacts before assuming a change is allowed.

Evidence standards

See how Propeteer handles uncertainty.

The methodology explains property matching, comparable selection, planning evidence and why no result is not automatically a clear result.

Read the methodology