Stay informed about nearby development

Local planning alerts with clearer context

Follow relevant planning applications, amendments, decisions and public notices near a place you care about.

Create this watchlist See a sample briefing

The problem

Planning information is public, but it is often spread across authority portals, agendas, application documents and local reporting. Search alerts can return every mention of a street or applicant without explaining whether the proposal is new, amended or already decided. Briefena helps you describe a location and the kinds of development that matter, then summarizes relevant published changes with links to the available records.

Define what counts as relevant

Use distance, height, use, traffic or another practical concern to reduce unrelated local notices.

Distinguish new applications from amendments

Briefena compares the latest coverage with earlier briefings so routine updates do not look like entirely new proposals.

Keep the public record attached

Briefings link back to the planning authority, application documents and other sources used in the summary.

What to follow

Make the watchlist specific enough to be useful.

New planning and development applications
Material amendments to an existing proposal
Committee dates, decisions and appeal outcomes
Changes to height, use, access, parking or operating hours
Public consultation and objection deadlines

Source choices

Planning authority records

Official portals, notices, agendas and decision records are the primary evidence where they are publicly accessible.

Application documents

Plans and supporting statements can contain the details that make an otherwise generic notice relevant.

Local reporting

Established local publications may add context or surface a proposal before search engines index every authority document.

Coverage depends on what each authority publishes and allows search engines to access. Briefena is an information service, not a substitute for checking the official planning register or obtaining planning advice.

Questions

What to expect

Does Briefena replace the official planning register?+

No. Briefena helps identify and summarize published changes, but the authority's register remains the definitive record.

Can I follow one exact address?+

Yes. Include the address and the kinds of applications or amendments you care about. Public source availability varies by authority.

Will Briefena notify me before an objection deadline?+

Briefena can surface published deadlines, but it cannot guarantee complete or immediate coverage. Always verify deadlines with the authority.