Planning Intelligence Blog

Practical guides, data insights and product updates for UK planning professionals.

Guide

How to Check If a Site Falls Within a Conservation Area — The Definitive Guide

Conservation area designation affects everything from permitted development rights to demolition. Here's how to check any site in England using LandLens™ and official government data.

Vince James28 March 20266 min read
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Data Insight

Brownfield Opportunities in the Thames Estuary: What the Data Shows

We analysed 2,400+ brownfield sites across Thurrock, Medway and Southend. Here are the key clusters, ownership patterns, and development potential the data reveals.

Vince James21 March 20268 min read
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Guide

Flood Risk Due Diligence: What Most Developers Miss Before Exchanging

EA flood zones are just the starting point. We break down the full flood risk picture — pluvial, surface water, reservoir risk — and show how to layer them all before making an offer.

Vince James3 April 20267 min read
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Guide

Article 4 Directions UK: What Every Planning Consultant Needs to Know in 2026

Article 4 directions silently remove permitted development rights — and missing one can torpedo a project. Here's how they work, where they apply, and how to check any site instantly.

Vince James9 April 20269 min read
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Guide

UK Use Classes Explained: The Complete Guide After the 2020 Reforms

The 2020 Use Classes Order reforms collapsed nine classes into one. This guide explains every class from A1 to sui generis, what changed, and what it means for your next application.

Vince James9 April 202611 min read
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Comparison

How to Check Planning Constraints on Any UK Site — Without Paying for LandInsight

LandInsight costs up to £6,000/year. Here's how to check flood risk, conservation areas, listed buildings, TPOs and more — for free or at a fraction of the price.

Vince James9 April 20268 min read
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