View or comment on planning applications
You can use Public Access to access current and previous planning applications, so you can view or comment on them.
You can search for current applications, track their progress and add comments.
Public Access uses tabs, and you can use these to:
- view details of the application, including a summary, contacts and important dates
- make a comment if the application is in the consultation period
- view comments from consultees
- view plans and documents, including drawings, decision notices and officer reports
- look at any related cases
- view the location of the application on a map
You can also search for the planning history of a site by using the map search.
Many of the building plans, documents and drawings include very detailed information. You may find it easier to view these documents on a desktop computer, rather than on a smartphone or tablet.
If you don’t have access to the internet or a desktop computer, you can use self-service desktop computers at:
- the Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre
- Chelmsford Library
- South Woodham Ferrers Library
Sign up to email alerts
You can sign up to receive email alerts about new planning applications in your area.
This allows you to create your own tailored search, so you can receive alerts every time we receive an application relevant to you.
Find out how to sign up for email alerts.
You can find the planning history for a property by searching for the current property address under the property search tab. If you are looking for a piece of land that does not have a postcode (such as “Land at” or “Site adjacent to”, you can use the map search tab.
If you are searching using the map search tab, you can only go back to 1 January 2000, so you may need to use a different search to go further back.
If you want to check history before 1974, you need to submit a request for planning advice.
You can comment on current planning applications during the consultation period.
It is not currently possible to submit comments on Public Access from a mobile or tablet device.
You need to search for the application you want to comment on. Once you have found the application, you need to select the ‘Make a Comment’ tab.
If you have a detailed comment, you may want to write it in another program, such as Microsoft Word, then paste it into Public Access. This is because sessions on Public Access time out after 30 minutes.
We will only consider comments if they relate to planning matters.
Planning matters include:
- the size and scale of the proposal
- potential loss of light
- the design and appearance of the proposal
- potential loss of privacy or increased overlooking
- the impact on traffic and parking
- potential for additional noise and disturbance
- the impact on trees, landscape or existing buildings
Planning matters do not include:
- property value
- the loss of a view
- land ownership disputes
- preference for an alternative development
- competition for existing business
- the personal circumstance of the applicant
If you want us to consider your comment on a planning application, you need to provide your name and address.
If you don't, we will classify the comment as anonymous, and will not:
- consider it as part of the decision process
- be able to notify you of any related planning applications
We will make all comments we receive publicly available. We will publish comments online two to three days after we receive them.
We will not display, share or consider any comments that are inappropriate, including those that are racist, inflammatory or derogatory.
We can only publish comments in text form, so will not include any supporting information, such as photo or illustrations.
If we receive comments by post or in a format that we can't copy from, we will display a summary of the comment.