How to check planning history of a site
Records of planning history in Stroud District changed in 2004/05 as such there are two main ways to check planning history. For applications around 2004 and 2005 both ways should be checked.
Post 2005 to now
All applications post 2005 have reference numbers which comes in the same format
i.e. S.16/4321/FUL
S.16 shows the application was submitted in 2016.
The middle number e.g. 4321 is the specific number (which is unique within the year).
The FUL is the application type (e.g. FUL is for a full application, HHOLD is for household application, LBC is for listed building consent etc.).
Simple Search:
If you have the reference number you can use the simple search.
The system can be quite sensitive; therefore if no records come up using the whole number try just using the middle four number, this will provide more results.
Please note: Searching by application type (e.g. LBC) will bring back a large result set and could be very slow.
Advanced Search:
If you don’t know the reference number you can use the advanced search.
There are several search criteria which can help refine the search if you don’t know the exact address.
Tips:
-Make sure you change the dates to when you are interested in.
-Select ‘show all applications’ if you are searching for ones already decided.
-Try searching by Parish or Ward if the full address isn’t known
- Applications for new dwellings/buildings often don’t have postcodes
1948 to 2005
This search function goes back to 1948. Older planning applications were recorded on large maps with sites outlined in red, these then have numbers written on them, these are known as site numbers. This recording system resulted in some site numbers covering potentially large estates (with several revisions) and any following applications on specific houses. Therefore some site numbers cover more than one property, and some properties have more than one site number.
Decision register address search
Use part of the address of the property (or an address nearby where the site doesn’t have an address) to search. Then select the property you are interested in – if the site doesn’t come up click a close by one (you can adjust the map later).
You should now have an old map in front of you with red outlines on it (if the page is yellow use one of the inset maps). Write down the relevant numbers.
Tips:
-You may need to scroll out to see the wider site area (possible at the bottom of the map).
-There may be more than one reference number which is relevant.
- There may be an outline around your house then a larger one around the estate, both could be relevant.
-If the property was built prior to 1948 there may be no planning history.
Decision register site reference number
Decision notices can be viewed online (plans would need to be viewed in the council offices or requested by email).
For most applicationsenter the site number in the ‘search reference number’ box. These will direct you to a pdf document. This document contains a range of decision notices sorted by site reference number (not only the ones relevant to your search). Scroll down the page looking in the top right hand corner for the site number relevant to the site. It is possible to use a find function (Ctrl + f) to assist, however due to the age of some of the notices a manual search is also advised.
There are a few application types that were historically recorded differently. These include Listed Building Applications (annotated on the maps by LBC), Conservation Area Consent applications (annotated on the maps by CAC) and Advertisement Consent applications (annotated in green on the maps).