Welcome to our on-line, self-service planning information system. The information we provide is a combination of planning data, planning scanned documents and electronic map data (pending).

Services can be accessed via the ‘Links. The information we provide offers users a selection and sorting facilities which are constantly updated.

Information and Help options are provided for each page and it is recommended these be read prior to accessing the system. It may also be helpful to look at the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Our fees

This service is provided without any charge. Downloading of documents is also uncharged, however, copyright must be adhered to.

Please note however that applying for planning permission is fee based. See our planning application charges provided by the planning portal.

Our standards

We have followed e-government advice and requirements as set out in the Pendleton and PARSOL criteria in the online provision of this service.
Our service also takes account of the Data Protection Act, and government advice as it is understood to apply to information standards and wider issues of social inclusion etc.

Our on-line technical performance.

The basic advice is that the better your equipment and connections to the web, then the quicker our system can respond. We would suggest that the best performance is likely to be secured using broadband Internet and a PC with current specifications. Older PC specifications and use of modems are likely to offer slower responses- especially when opening our scanned files.

Planning Interactive is best viewed using Internet Explorer version 5.5 or above with a screen resolution of 1024 by 768 (with a minimum resolution of 800 by 600) and at least 256 colours. Different settings may restrict your viewing, especially on PCs with older specifications.

Given the self-service nature of our on- line planning service we are not able to provide any on-line support service dealing with any technical/performance issues arising from the use of your equipment. This also applies to use of the Planning Portal.

You will be automatically advised if by any chance there is a technical problem which is our responsibility. In such events your patience would be appreciated.

As the scale of plans may be lost in the printing, we recommend that all plans including A0 size are printed to A4 size. Plans must be used for information only.

What we provide

Our approach is to combine on-line planning information from 3 key systems:-

Planning database(s) for Planning Register detail

Scanning systems which provides access to scanned planning application details

Mapping systems showing- amongst other things- planning application site locations (pending)
This information is provided in 4 main ways:-

Searching individual applications or addresses
Searching ‘ Planning Register’ for group lists such as for Appeals.
Basic scanned planning application files* to show application form, plans, officer/committee report and third party letters
Map based Registers such as Tree Preservation Orders (pending)
(*Please note that in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act you may view the complete application file at the Council Offices First Stop Shop during normal office hours)

In addition you can submit comments on current applications, report a possible planning contravention, offer feedback and ask to be updated on significant changes in current applications, or put yourself onto a mailing list.

We are also working in partnership with the National Planning Portal system so that you can submit an application or make an appeal on-line.

We offer a fee based service for land and property research information which can be very useful for complex or time-consuming work such as planning history or land charge information

What we don’t provide

Given the self-service nature of Planning Interactive we are not able to provide; -

any on-line support concerning the use of the system ( please refer to the Help, Information and FAQs options)
any on-line support service dealing with technical problems you may experience (such as speed of loading).
Any direct response to queries arising from the information we provide- (hopefully) the information is self evident. However, any errors in data you may find, or improvements you may wish to suggest are always useful and can be reported at :-
planningservices@walsall.gov.uk
We do not as yet provide specific planning advice on-line regarding the need for planning permission nor offer on-line advice on development potential. We do however offer the services of a Duty Officer during normal office hours who may be able to respond to your request. To avail yourself of this service please visit our First Stop Shop, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall.

If required, Planning Consultants can be found using, for example, YELL http://www.yell.com/ucs/HomePageAction.do

In the case of individual, local or community concerns about development, professional planning advice may possibly be obtained through Planning Aid at:- http://www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk/

Caveats

When considering using our interactive planning system please consider the following caveats:-

Planning Interactive undergoes periodic enhancement and development and so any problems reported that can be addressed are incorporated into the next release. Hence some planned options shown are pending a subsequent release.
Our Planning Register Data- some of which goes back to 1948- may not necessarily be wholly consistent where addresses are concerned and so address based searches are best independently double-checked.
We are obliged to take account of the Data Protection Act so at present we do not provide web based public access to the complete scanned planning application file. However, you may view the complete application file, including archive 3rd party representations (but excluding confidential information), at the Council's First Stop Shop during normal working hours.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of current addresses held on our system we cannot guarantee the results of any address based search and so it is recommended that results be independently double checked before use.
Likewise we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of our data and so it is recommended that results (such as very recent decisions) be verified before use.
Lastly- should you find any discrepancies or mistakes please let us know at planningservices@walsall.gov.uk