These pages offer guidance for professionals considering online submission of a planning application for the first time as well as advice for more experienced online submitters. We aim to help you quickly gain the maximum commercial benefit from using our online application service and maintain a competitive edge.
Click on 'How to get started online' to learn about or refresh your knowledge of every stage of the application process or select tools, hints, tips and guidance about how applying online can help to avoid validation issues and delays, leading to more consistent and timely planning decisions.
Smarter Planning is a partnership between planning agents, local planning authorities and the Planning Portal supporting and encouraging best practice in the online submission of planning applications.
More than half of all planning applications are now submitted online via the Planning Portal. Applying online delivers proven benefits:
New to online submission? Access our quick start guide, video tutorials and other advice and guidance to help you on your way.
Read our hints and tips, plus:
The most common reason for planning applications being rejected by councils is that the accompanying plans are invalid. Buying your plans from the Planning Portal's four accredited suppliers means you are one step closer to submitting a valid application.
