Privacy Policy
Last updated: 25 June 2025
PlanWatch ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it.
We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We keep things simple — we collect as little as possible and never sell your data.
Data Controller
PlanWatch is the data controller responsible for your personal data.
Contact: [email protected]
What We Collect
We only collect what's necessary to provide the service:
Email address
RequiredUsed to send you planning permission alerts for your monitored postcodes.
Postcode
RequiredUsed to determine which planning applications are relevant to you. Your postcode is sent to the postcodes.io API (a free, public service) to convert it to geographic coordinates — no other personal data is shared with this service.
Name
OptionalIf provided, used only to personalise your alert emails. You can leave this blank.
What we don't collect: We don't collect your physical address, phone number, payment information (yet), IP addresses for tracking, or any other personal data beyond what's listed above.
Why We Collect It
| Data | Purpose | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sending planning alerts | Consent | |
| Postcode | Finding nearby planning applications | Consent |
| Name | Personalising emails (optional) | Consent |
The legal basis for processing your data is consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR). You give consent when you sign up for alerts. You can withdraw consent at any time by unsubscribing or contacting us.
Where We Store Your Data
Your data is stored in a SQLite database on our server hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the London (eu-west-2) region. Your data does not leave the UK.
We use reasonable technical measures to protect your data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS) and restricted server access.
Who We Share Data With
Right now: nobody. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with any third parties.
In the future, we may use a third-party email delivery service (e.g. Mailgun, Postmark, or similar) to send alert emails. If we do, we will update this policy and only use services that comply with UK GDPR and process data within the UK/EEA.
postcodes.io: When you search a postcode, we send that postcode (and only the postcode) to the postcodes.io API to get geographic coordinates. No personal data is sent to this service.
Cookies
We do not use cookies for tracking or analytics. We may use strictly necessary cookies for basic site functionality (such as remembering your session). These are exempt from consent requirements under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.
How Long We Keep Your Data
Active subscribers: We keep your data for as long as you have an active alert subscription.
After unsubscribing: We delete your personal data within 30 days of you unsubscribing.
Deletion requests: If you ask us to delete your data, we will do so within 30 days.
Search-only users: If you only search without subscribing, we don't store any personal data.
Your Rights
Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights. To exercise any of them, email us at [email protected].
Right of Access
Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you.
Right to Rectification
Ask us to correct any inaccurate data we hold about you.
Right to Erasure
Ask us to delete all your personal data. We'll do it within 30 days.
Right to Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format (JSON or CSV).
Right to Restrict Processing
Ask us to temporarily stop processing your data while we resolve a concern.
Right to Withdraw Consent
Withdraw consent at any time by unsubscribing or emailing us. This won't affect prior processing.
We aim to respond to all requests within 30 days. There is no fee for exercising your rights.
Children's Privacy
PlanWatch is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Complaints
If you're unhappy with how we handle your data, please contact us first at [email protected] and we'll do our best to resolve it.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Website: ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we'll notify subscribers by email. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will always reflect the latest version.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your data, get in touch.
[email protected]