To find approved planning drawings, open the council planning record, download the decision notice, then match the drawing numbers and revision letters listed in the decision notice against the files in the documents tab. The approved drawing is not always the newest-looking file or the first plan shown online.
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Planning portals can be messy. A single application may contain location plans, existing plans, proposed plans, amended plans, consultation drawings, committee drawings, elevation sheets and technical appendices. Some are superseded. Some are approved. Some are uploaded after the decision for conditions or amendments.
The GOV.UK search register of planning decisions points people towards local planning registers, and the GOV.UK guidance on making an application explains the role of plans and drawings in applications. The practical task is to connect the formal decision to the correct drawing files.
Start With The Decision Notice
Open the decision notice first. Look for a section called approved plans, approved documents, list of drawings, or conditions. It may say something like:
"The development shall be carried out in accordance with drawing numbers 101 Rev C, 102 Rev B and 201 Rev A."
Those drawing numbers are your anchor. Write them down. Then go back to the documents tab and match them exactly.
Check Revision Letters
Revision letters matter. Drawing 201 Rev A may show a different roof, window or boundary position from drawing 201 Rev C. If the decision notice approves Rev C, an objection based on Rev A may no longer be relevant.
Use this order:
| Step | What To Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download the decision notice |
| 2 | Note the approved drawing numbers and revision letters |
| 3 | Find those exact files in the documents tab |
| 4 | Check whether later amendments changed them |
| 5 | Compare the approved drawings with work on site |
If you cannot match a drawing number, check the officer report. Some councils list approved plans there too.
Existing, Proposed And Location Plans
An application often contains several plan types:
- Location plan: shows the site boundary.
- Block or site plan: shows the proposal in relation to boundaries.
- Existing floorplans and elevations: show the current building.
- Proposed floorplans and elevations: show what is being applied for.
- Sections: show height, levels and relationships.
- Roof plans: often important for dormers, terraces and rooflights.
For neighbour impact, proposed elevations, sections and site plans are usually more useful than the location plan. For boundary questions, the block plan and sections may be decisive.
Documents That Are Not The Approved Drawing
Do not confuse supporting images with approved plans. A design and access statement may include sketches or rendered images that help explain the proposal, but the decision notice may approve a different numbered drawing. Committee presentation slides can also simplify a scheme and may not be the legal plan set.
If a neighbour, estate agent or builder sends you a screenshot, ask for the drawing number and revision. Without that, you cannot know whether it is current, superseded or formally approved.
Watch For Later Changes
After approval, the applicant may submit a non-material amendment, section 73 variation or discharge-of-condition details. Those later records can change or add approved drawings.
Search the original reference number and the address. If there is a later amendment, read that decision too. The drawing you need may sit under the amendment application, not the original one.
If The Build Looks Different
Do not rely on memory. Save the approved drawing, take dated photographs from your own property or public land, and describe the difference precisely.
For example: "Approved drawing 201 Rev C shows the first-floor side window as obscure glazed. The installed window appears clear." Or: "The approved rear extension depth appears to be 3 metres on drawing 102 Rev B; the foundations on site appear to extend materially further, based on the boundary fence line."
Planning enforcement teams need facts they can verify.
Official Sources
- GOV.UK search the register of planning decisions
- GOV.UK guidance on making a planning application
- Planning data platform
Related PlanWatch Guides
- Planning Application Decision Notice Explained
- Planning Application Amended Plans
- How To Check Planning Conditions
- Planning Enforcement When Rules Are Broken
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are approved planning drawings?
They are usually in the documents tab of the council planning record, often identified by the decision notice or approved plans list.
How do I know which drawings are approved?
Check the decision notice and officer report for the approved drawing numbers, dates and revision letters.
Can old drawings stay on the portal?
Yes. Superseded drawings often remain visible, so do not assume the first drawing you open is the approved one.
What if the build does not match the approved drawings?
Record the difference, check for amendments, and contact planning enforcement if the work appears materially different.
The Point To Remember
The approved drawing is the one tied to the decision, not simply the one that looks most recent. Match drawing numbers, revision letters and later amendments before acting.
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Search Your Postcode FreeDisclaimer: PlanWatch provides general information about UK planning processes. This content is not legal advice. Planning law is complex and varies by local authority. Consult a qualified planning consultant or solicitor for advice specific to your situation.