Planning Agents FAQs

1. What are User Types?

The Planning Portal is designed to offer help and guidance for your particular online application. Please select the appropriate User Type to match your use of the Portal.

Select 'General Public' if you are making an application as a private individual or householder.

Select 'Agent' if you are making an application as a Planning Agent, Consultant or Professional User.

Select 'Agent Administrator' if you are setting up an account with the Planning Portal on behalf of your Company. This will also enable you to check and manage applications from other members of your team before they are sent to a Local Planning Authority.

2. When I Register, what is an 'Agent' User?

When you register with The Planning Portal you have three options to select the most appropriate User Type for your needs. Select 'Agent' if you are making an application as a Planning Agent, Consultant or Professional User.

3. Why should I Register as an 'Agent' User?

You should select the most appropriate User Type to match your use of the Portal. Registering enables the Portal to remember you, your location and language preferences next time you log in. As an 'Agent' User you can view our dedicated page for Planning Agent, Consultant or Professional Users and when you apply online to your Local Planning Authority we offer help and guidance tailored to meet your needs.

4. How do I set myself up as an 'Agent' User?

On the Register page you will be presented with an application form to complete. Towards the bottom of that page there is a 'drop down' menu that lists the three options available to you. Choose 'Agent' from the list by highlighting the text and press enter to select it. Remember that if your Company has already set up an account with The Planning Portal you should first contact your Company 'Agent Administrator' and ask them to set up your account instead.

5. When I Register, what is an 'Agent Administrator' User?

When you register with The Planning Portal you have three options to select the most appropriate User Type for your needs. Select 'Agent Administrator' if you are setting up an account with the Planning Portal on behalf of your Company. This will also enable you to check and manage applications from other members of your team before they are sent to a Local Planning Authority.

6. Why should I Register as an 'Agent Administrator' User?

You should select the most appropriate User Type to match your use of the Portal. Registering enables the Portal to remember you, your location and language preferences next time you log in. As your Company 'Agent Administrator' you will have the capacity to set up other Users for your company and either allow them to submit applications direct or through you for you to review and then submit on their behalf. A confirmation email will be sent to the email addresses you supply once an account is created - but remember to keep details of the password you create for your Agent as you will have to send this to them directly as it will not be included in the email for security reasons.

7. What happens if an Agent cannot find out the password created by the Agent Administrator or has been forgotten?

You can request an email with a new password at any time by clicking on the 'Forgotten Password' button at the top-right of the Login page and entering your email address. To change this password click on the 'Edit Your Details' button on the top right of the screen once you have logged in.

8. How do I set myself up as an 'Agent Administrator' User?

On the Register page you will be presented with an application form to complete. Towards the bottom of that page there is a 'drop down' menu that lists the three options available to you. Choose 'Agent Administrator' from the list by highlighting the text and press enter to select it. Remember that if your Company already has Users with The Planning Portal you may need to have their details transferred to your 'Agent Administrator' account. Contact the Portal Support team by emailing support if you need assistance in this matter.

9. As an Agent Administrator, what do the 'Account Enabled' and 'Submit' choices mean?

Account Enabled: Check this box to open the account for the user you have created. If this User leaves your Company uncheck the box to stop the user accessing the account. The applications this user worked on will still be visible to you as Agent Administrator.

Submit: Check this box if you want to allow a particular User to be able to Submit their planning applications direct to the Local Planning Authority. If you require this User to Submit their applications to you for approval then leave the box unchecked and their applications will be sent to you to Submit on their behalf.

10. If my Company 'Agent Administrator' sets up my account what happens when I submit my completed application?

When your Company 'Agent Administrator' creates your account as an 'Agent', they have the ability to set your account privileges to either be able to submit your applications direct to the relevant Local Planning Authority or that you submit your applications to the actual Agent Administrator. You should contact your Company 'Agent Administrator' if you wish to change your particular status.

11. How do I check the Proposals my Agents are working on?

At any time you will be able to view the proposals your Agents are working on by clicking on the link at the top of 'Your Proposals' page (Apply>Your Proposals) labelled 'View Proposals created by one of your agents'. Remember that your Agents may still be working on these applications and so they may not be complete, this is why you can view but not edit at this stage.

If you have set up your Agent to submit their proposals to you as their Agent Administrator you will be able to view and edit them once they have submitted by looking under the title 'Proposals awaiting your approval' on the Your Proposals page. (Apply>Your Proposals).

12. What happens if I reject a proposal by one of my Agents?

As Agent Administrator you have the facility to either 'Accept' or 'Reject' an application made by one of your Agents. If you select 'Accept' the proposal will be submitted to the Local Planning Authority as normal. If you select 'reject' the proposal will be returned to the Agent including any changes you have made to their application for further work and you will not be able to edit it until the Agent re-submits to you. Only when you are satisfied with the application should you select 'Accept' and send through to the Local Planning Authority.

13. What happens to my 'Agent' account if I leave my Company?

Your company 'Agent Administrator' has the ability to disable your Account. This means you will be unable to access any applications that you have open or are working on. However your Company 'Agent Administrator' will still have access to those files for their reference.

14. What happens to my 'Agent Administrator' account if I leave my Company?

If you are the Company 'Agent Administrator' and you are leaving your Company you should liaise with a work colleague to transfer the account details to them. Contact the Portal Support team by emailing support if you need assistance in this matter.