Written by Sam JonesReviewed by UK Planning Guide Editorial ReviewLast reviewed 11 April 2026Source basis Authority routing, county-level coverage and the local pages most likely to change a national planning answer.Verify if Do not stop at the council index when the project, restriction or exact authority context is already clear enough to open a deeper page.
Local authority hub

UK Local Planning Authorities

Use this section when the local authority layer is the real source of uncertainty, especially for conservation areas, heritage controls, Article 4 directions or council-specific guidance.

What this hub is for

It helps you move from a broad planning question into the right planning area, the right council and the most useful local project page quickly.

What it does not replace

It does not replace the local planning authority, site-specific design review or formal confirmation where the proposal is close to a limit.

Fastest next step

Pick the planning area first, then compare the local authority page with the matching project guide and the planning topic that is causing uncertainty.

Decision guide

When The Council Hub Is The Right Starting Point And When It Is Not

Best when

  • The local authority layer is the main uncertainty.
  • You want to compare planning areas before choosing one council path.
  • Conservation areas, Article 4 or heritage controls may be the real blocker.

Go elsewhere first when

  • You already know the exact project type and need the answer-first local project page.
  • The question is still broad enough that a tool or FAQ would narrow it faster.
  • You need a site-specific route decision rather than a navigation layer.

What usually settles it faster

  • Pick the planning area first, then the council, then the matching project or rule page.
  • Use a tool first if the route is still broad and the local authority is not yet clear.
  • Use the local authority page alongside the project guide when local controls may change the answer.
Area-level navigation

Choose The Planning Area First

Area overview

Bedfordshire

Browse 3 local authority areas in Bedfordshire. Start here for places like Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton.

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Berkshire

Browse 6 local authority areas in Berkshire. Start here for places like Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough.

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Buckinghamshire

Browse 2 local authority areas in Buckinghamshire. Start here for places like Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes.

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Cambridgeshire

Browse 6 local authority areas in Cambridgeshire. Start here for places like Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland.

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Cornwall

Browse 2 local authority areas in Cornwall. Start here for places like Cornwall, Isles of Scilly.

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County Durham

Browse 2 local authority areas in County Durham. Start here for places like Durham, Darlington.

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Cumbria

Browse 2 local authority areas in Cumbria. Start here for places like Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness.

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Derbyshire

Browse 9 local authority areas in Derbyshire. Start here for places like Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield.

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Devon

Browse 10 local authority areas in Devon. Start here for places like East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon.

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Dorset

Browse 2 local authority areas in Dorset. Start here for places like Dorset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole.

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East Sussex

Browse 6 local authority areas in East Sussex. Start here for places like Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes.

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Essex

Browse 12 local authority areas in Essex. Start here for places like Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood.

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Gloucestershire

Browse 6 local authority areas in Gloucestershire. Start here for places like Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean.

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Greater London

Browse 33 local authority areas in Greater London. Start here for places like Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley.

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Hampshire

Browse 13 local authority areas in Hampshire. Start here for places like Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Eastleigh.

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Herefordshire

Browse 1 local authority areas in Herefordshire. Start here for places like Herefordshire.

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Hertfordshire

Browse 10 local authority areas in Hertfordshire. Start here for places like Broxbourne, Dacorum, East Hertfordshire.

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Kent

Browse 12 local authority areas in Kent. Start here for places like Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford.

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Leicestershire

Browse 8 local authority areas in Leicestershire. Start here for places like Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough.

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Lincolnshire

Browse 9 local authority areas in Lincolnshire. Start here for places like Boston, East Lindsey, Lincoln.

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Norfolk

Browse 7 local authority areas in Norfolk. Start here for places like Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

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Northamptonshire

Browse 2 local authority areas in Northamptonshire. Start here for places like North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire.

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Northumberland

Browse 1 local authority areas in Northumberland. Start here for places like Northumberland.

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Nottinghamshire

Browse 8 local authority areas in Nottinghamshire. Start here for places like Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe.

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Oxfordshire

Browse 5 local authority areas in Oxfordshire. Start here for places like Cherwell, Oxford, South Oxfordshire.

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Scotland

Browse 34 local authority areas in Scotland. Start here for places like Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus.

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Shropshire

Browse 2 local authority areas in Shropshire. Start here for places like Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

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Somerset

Browse 3 local authority areas in Somerset. Start here for places like Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset.

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Staffordshire

Browse 9 local authority areas in Staffordshire. Start here for places like Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield.

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Suffolk

Browse 5 local authority areas in Suffolk. Start here for places like Babergh, East Suffolk, Mid Suffolk.

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Surrey

Browse 11 local authority areas in Surrey. Start here for places like Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford.

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Tyne And Wear

Browse 5 local authority areas in Tyne And Wear. Start here for places like Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside.

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Wales

Browse 25 local authority areas in Wales. Start here for places like Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy.

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Warwickshire

Browse 5 local authority areas in Warwickshire. Start here for places like North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby.

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West Sussex

Browse 7 local authority areas in West Sussex. Start here for places like Adur, Arun, Chichester.

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Wiltshire

Browse 2 local authority areas in Wiltshire. Start here for places like Wiltshire, Swindon.

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Worcestershire

Browse 6 local authority areas in Worcestershire. Start here for places like Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch.

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Yorkshire

Browse 16 local authority areas in Yorkshire. Start here for places like Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale.

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Useful alongside council pages

Pair The Local Layer With The Right Next Tool

Most users get the clearest answer when they use a tool first for triage, then read the local authority page, then check the exact project guide or rule hub that could change the route.

What to verify locally

  • Whether the property is in a conservation area or affected by Article 4.
  • Whether heritage controls or local design expectations raise the bar.
  • Whether the proposal is close enough to a limit that formal written confirmation is safer.