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New Planning, Land Charges and Mapping Systems Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

These FAQs explain how to use the Council’s new planning, land charges and mapping systems and what the changes mean for residents, applicants, and Town and Parish Councils. 

About the change 

Why is the Council changing systems? 

The previous planning system was being discontinued by its supplier and had reached the end of its supported life. A modern replacement was needed that is secure, reliable and fit for the future. 

The new system: 

  • Improves online access 
  • Brings planning registers together in one place 
  • Is more resilient and future‑proofed 

Alongside this, the Council has also updated its public mapping system. 

Has the way planning decisions are made changed? 

No. 
Only the system used to manage applications has changed. Planning applications are still: 

  • Assessed against the development plan 
  • Considered against all relevant material considerations 
  • Determined through the same statutory and governance processes 

Has any planning history been lost? 

No. 
All historic and current planning data has been migrated and remains available to view on the new planning register. If anything appears incorrect or missing, the Council can investigate. 

Is the Planning Portal changing? 

No. 
The Planning Portal is a national planning application service, independent of councils, and is not affected by the change 

Planning applications and Building Control 

Can I still submit a planning application? 

Yes. 
Planning applications continue to be submitted through the Planning Portal, which is independent of the Council and has not changed. 

As with any major system change, some tasks may take longer than usual while services catch up. Please bear with us. 

Can I still submit a Building Regulations application? 

Yes. 
There are no changes to how Building Regulations applications are submitted. Applications continue to be accepted in the usual way and are being processed on the new system. 

When will a decision be made on my application? 

Applications are being progressed on the new system, and officers are working through applications in date order. 

While services catch up following implementation of the new system: 

  • Some applications may take longer than usual to determine 
  • Officers cannot commit to specific dates 

If original or extended timeframes cannot be met, the case officer or surveyor will contact you with an update. 

I submitted an application but haven’t heard anything – what should I do? 

If you have submitted a planning or Building Regulations application and have not yet been contacted, please do not worry. 

Applications are being registered and processed, and the relevant registration or technical support team will be in touch if: 

  • Further information is required, or 
  • There is an update you need to be aware of 

There is no need to resubmit your application unless you are asked to do so. 

I received a letter saying my application was invalid and replied, but I’ve had no further response 

Applications that require additional information are being processed in date order. Due to the volume of applications currently being worked through, there may be a delay in responding to follow‑up emails. 

Your reply has been received and will be reviewed as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience. 

Viewing and commenting on applications 

How do I view planning applications? 

You can search the new planning register by: 

  • Reference number 
  • Address or postcode 
  • Parish or ward 
  • Keywords 
  • Using the interactive map 

Each application page includes: 

  • Application details and status 
  • Consultation dates 
  • Documents (including amended plans) 
  • Submitted comments 
  • Relevant constraints and site history 

How do I comment on a planning application? 

Our online commenting tool is now available.  Comments should be submitted using the online comment form on the application page. 

Members of the public do not need an account to comment, but creating one allows them to: 

  • Track applications 
  • Manage responses 
  • Set up alerts 

I submitted a comment but can’t see it on the application – has it been received? 

Comments are logged and checked before being published on the website, so they may not appear immediately. 

Please be assured that: 

  • All comments received are recorded 
  • Officers are aware of comments submitted 
  • Comments will be considered when assessing the application, even if they are not yet visible online 

How are amended plans shown on the new system? 

Amended plans are displayed in a dedicated section within the Documents tab and are clearly labelled. Where documents are superseded, this is shown so users can follow the history of changes. 

Pre-application enquiries 

Can I submit a pre‑application enquiry? 

Yes. 
Pre‑application enquiries must be submitted using the online pre-application web form: 

To support a smoother and more efficient process: 

  • Pre‑application enquiries are no longer accepted by email, unless this has been pre‑arranged with the Council 
  • All enquiries are registered and allocated to a case officer in date order 

Timescales may vary depending on demand and the complexity of the enquiry. 

Accounts, alerts, notifications 

My email alert account no longer works – do I need to register again? 

Yes. 
If you previously subscribed to receive email alerts, you would need to create a new account on the new system to continue receiving notifications. 

Do I need an account to view applications or comment on them? 

No. 
You do not need an account to view applications or submit a planning comment. 

An account is optional, but recommended if you want to: 

  • Track applications 
  • Manage responses 
  • Set up alerts for areas or application types 

I don’t know how to create an account 

The Council has published guidance to help you create and use an account, including step‑by‑step instructions and short video demonstrations. 

All video guides are available to view on our dedicated news page:   

Mapping and Land Charges 

What has changed with the mapping system? 

The Council has moved from the previous Public GIS system to Cadcorp WebMap. The new mapping system will go live 30 April. 

  • Users will be able to access the new system via the following link once it goes live: maps.southandvale.gov.uk 
  • The current mapping system was last updated on Friday 10 April. During the system changeover, the maps will remain available, but no updates will be made. 
  • From 30 April onwards, the new mapping system will again display current and fully up to date information and should be used as the primary source for mapping and location-based data. 

What has changed for Land Charges? 

  • The new Land Charges system will launch in the following weeks.  
  • We will be unable to process Local Land Charges search requests until the system launches. 

There will be a delay in processing of searches because of the downtime beyond the normal eight-day turnaround period. The anticipated return timeframe for searches will be 20 days from the date of acceptance.  

Planning enforcement 

I reported a possible planning breach but haven’t heard anything 

Reports of possible planning breaches are logged and added to the system before being reviewed by the Enforcement Team. 

If you have submitted a report, it has been received and will be reviewed in due course. Timescales can vary depending on the nature and priority of the case. 

How do I report a new planning enforcement issue? 

New planning enforcement issues should be reported using the online enforcement web form available on the Council’s website. 

If you contact the Council by email or phone, you may be asked to complete the web form so that: 

  • All necessary information is captured 
  • Your report can be progressed efficiently 

Support, guidance and help 

Will guidance be available? 

Yes. 
The Council has published: 

These resources are the best place to start if you are unfamiliar with the new systems. 

What should I do if something doesn’t look right or I can’t find information? 

This can sometimes happen when a new system goes live. 

Please: 

  1. Check the video guides and FAQs first 
  2. If the issue remains, contact Customer Services (Tel 01235 422422) so it can be investigated or passed to the relevant team 

As the system continues to bed in, we ask for your patience while information is reviewed and updated. 

Will services return to normal timescales? 

The aim is business as usual. However, for a short  period whilst services catch up following the implementation of the new systems: 

  • Some tasks may take longer than normal 
  • Staff may not be able to give exact dates for actions 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period. 

What happens if there are technical issues after the launch of the new system? 

The aim is business as usual. 

However, if: 

  • System issues prevent access to planning registers 
  • People are unable to engage with consultations 

The Council will consider appropriate extensions to consultation periods in the interests of fairness.