PlanningPass: Turning UK Planning Uncertainty into a 60-Second Answer

UK homeowners waste weeks (and thousands of pounds) trying to answer one question: “Do I need planning permission?”

Planning Pass compresses that uncertainty into a clear, defensible answer in under 60 seconds.

I have built a rules-driven planning intelligence engine that combines government datasets, permitted development logic, and constraint checks into a single, calm verdict before users speak to an architect or planner.

The result: faster decisions, fewer dead-ends, and a planning process that finally feels predictable.

Problem & Insight

The UK planning system isn’t just complex : it’s opaque by design.

Homeowners face:

• Conflicting advice from Google, forums, and professionals
• Planning policies spread across PDFs, maps, and local authority sites
• Fear of “getting it wrong” and wasting money early

The key insight wasn’t that people want more information.

They want early certainty.

Not drawings. Not applications. Not consultants.

Just a reliable answer to:

“Is this likely permitted development, or am I heading into planning?”

And they want it before committing time or fees.

Solution Overview

Planning Pass is a front-loaded planning feasibility engine.

In under a minute, users enter:

• Property details
• Project intent (extension, loft, outbuilding, etc.)

Behind the scenes, we:

• Map the property to official datasets
• Run it through a deterministic planning logic tree
• Apply constraints and permitted development rules

Output: A calm, plain-English verdict with next steps.

Stack (high level):

• Frontend: Next.js (wizard-based UX)
• Backend: Supabase (auth, DB, edge functions)
• Data: Planning.data.gov.uk + geospatial checks
• Logic: Hard-coded PD rules + constraint evaluation

4. Build Journey

Blocker: Planning data isn’t developer-friendly

Government planning datasets:

• Aren’t unified
• Don’t return simple yes/no answers
• Require interpretation, not just querying

We solved this by:

• Checking constraints one-by-one
• Normalising raw data into decision-ready flags
• Logging every assumption for auditability

Aha moment

The biggest unlock was separating:

• Understanding (free, fast, calming)
• Action (paid, confident, deliberate)

That separation now drives the entire product flow.

5. Results & Metrics

Early internal and beta signals:

• Average time to verdict: <60 seconds
• User feedback highlights:
• “This is the first time planning has felt clear.”
• Prevented wasted spend on early drawings and consultations
• Reduced drop-off by simplifying questions (no heights, no jargon)

Most importantly: Users stop panicking and start deciding

6. Learnings & Next Steps

Key learnings

• Certainty beats detail at the early stage
• Calm UX builds more trust than persuasive copy
• Hard-coded rules > black-box AI for regulatory domains

What’s next

• Expand beyond rear extensions to full householder scope
• PCI (Planning Confidence Index) across all project types
• Admin dashboard to learn from real submissions and outcomes
• Smarter recommendations based on historical approvals

Open question we’re exploring:

How early can planning intelligence genuinely replace first-contact professionals without losing trust?

7. Team & Role

Planning Pass is currently built by myself.

8. Resources & Inspirations

• UK Government Planning Practice Guidance
• planning.data.gov.uk
• Prior Approval & Permitted Development case law
• Conversations with architects, planners, and frustrated homeowners
• Product thinking inspired by calm tools like GOV.UK, and Linear