Planning Aid England (PAE) provides free planning guidance and advice for the general public through the following channels:
Online planning guidance
On this website you will find information about all aspects of the planning system including national policy, plan making, the planning application process, enforcement and appeals.
We provide:
- Answers to questions people often ask about planning
- Clear, simple explanations of how the planning system works
- Signposting on where to go next
Email advice service
If, having looked at our online advice, you still need help, you can access our email advice service via the ‘submit a request button’ in the towards the top right hand side of the screen.
This service offers a limited amount of free, general planning advice by email. It is delivered by a panel of volunteer planning advisors, all of whom are Chartered Planners. Our planning advisors are happy to answer enquiries on planning-related issues in England and aim to respond to enquiries within five working days (though this cannot be guaranteed during exceptionally busy times).
Please be aware that:
- We don’t provide pre-application advice about a specific site or proposal – you will need to contact your local authority for this.
- We don’t provide free advice to other built environment professionals (e.g. architects, surveyors). Please use the RTPI Directory of Consultants to find a professional planner.
- If you are a planner seeking advice, please refer to the Practice pages of the RTPI website or the RTPI Independent Consultants’ Network.
Bespoke support service
In some circumstances, PAE is able to offer additional support to people who have contacted our email advice service. This enhanced support is for individuals who are least able to effectively access the planning system, and for communities/groups located in areas of deprivation and/or who have traditionally not been involved in the planning process. The criteria we use to decide upon eligibility for enhanced support is set out here.
The information you share with us is held in confidence in line with the RTPI Privacy Policy and in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. We do not discuss queries with local planning authorities or any other organisations or persons unless you instruct us to, or we are required to by law.
Please note: We do not act on behalf of any local or national campaign groups. Our role is to explain not to influence.
DISCLAIMER: Any information provided is not a statement of the law. While every effort has been taken to check the accuracy of any information we provide, the RTPI or Planning Aid England cannot be held liable for any financial loss resulting from the professional advice contained herein. Readers are advised to seek advice from their local planning authority and/or a professional planning consultant, or specialist planning lawyer before proceeding on any matter.