Frequently asked questions
What's in the detailed report?
A comprehensive PDF report compiled specifically for your property and council. It includes an executive summary, approval trend analysis, time-to-decision data, extension-by-extension approval breakdown, refusal pattern analysis, appeal outcome statistics, delegated vs committee decision patterns, comparable planning decisions with council portal links, and recommended next steps. Report depth varies by council based on the data each authority publishes. The report is emailed to you within minutes of submitting your request.
How is this different from asking my architect?
An architect gives you one person's experience. PlanningLens analyses every planning decision your council has published since 2020 — typically thousands of outcomes — and quantifies the actual approval and refusal rates for your specific application type, ward, and proposal. It's evidence, not opinion.
Where does the data come from?
All data is sourced directly from local authority planning portals — the same public records that planning officers, architects, and solicitors use. We gather, structure, and analyse decisions from January 2020 onwards across 238 councils in England, Scotland and Wales, covering 80%+ of the UK population.
Is the free pattern check accurate?
The free check gives you a reliable estimate based on your council's overall approval rate for your application type. The detailed report goes much deeper — ward-level data, approval trends over time, refusal pattern analysis, appeal outcomes, comparable decisions, and property-specific factors that the free check can't cover.
Is this planning advice?
No. PlanningLens is a statistical analysis based on historical outcomes. It helps you make an informed decision about whether to proceed, but it does not replace formal planning advice. We always recommend consulting a qualified planning professional before submitting an application.
