A simpler, clearer and more transparent way to manage your Planning By Design project.

Navigating a planning application can feel overwhelming, there are drawings to review, documents to approve, updates to keep track of, and deadlines to meet.

At Planning By Design, we’ve always believed the process should feel easier, more transparent, and more accessible.

Across the UK, most planning and design consultancies still rely on emails, shared folders, and manual updates to keep clients informed. While effective, this can make it difficult for clients to see progress at a glance or access everything in one place.

That’s why we’ve invested heavily in creating the Planning By Design Client Portal – a secure, client-facing platform designed specifically around the planning process.

Rather than chasing updates or searching through inboxes, our clients can now log in at any time to track their project timeline, view the latest updates, access all documents, and get support whenever they need it.

This new feature is included free for all Planning By Design clients, and represents a smarter, more transparent way to manage a planning application from start to finish.

1. Logging In: Your Personal Project Hub

As soon as your project begins, you’ll receive a unique login link to your portal.

Once inside, you’ll see a clean, easy-to-navigate dashboard that works on desktop, mobile, and tablet.

We recommend bookmarking it so you can check in anytime.

2. Your Project Timeline: Live, Step-by-Step Progress

The heart of the portal is your Project Timeline a visual tracker showing every major step of your planning journey.

From your design brief and initial drawings through to submission, validation, and the final planning decision, the timeline updates in real time so you always know:

• what has been completed

• what we are working on now

• what’s coming next

No more waiting for update emails or guessing where things stand. Everything is displayed clearly, chronologically, and updated as soon as a stage progresses.

If your application has been determined, the timeline will show this too making it easy to see exactly when the decision was issued.

3. “Required From Client”: Clear Next Steps in One Place

To make the process even smoother, we’ve created a dedicated section showing anything we still need from you.

Instead of searching through emails or checking old attachments, you can instantly see whether there are any we still require from you, such as;

• Your design brief – detailing what you want us to design for you

• Additional information – such as property ownership details, business operation details, evidence to prove existing use, etc.

• 3rd party specialist reports – such as BGN, ecology, wildlife, noise/odour, flood risk assessments, etc. 

This keeps your project moving quickly and helps prevent delays.

4. Drawings, Statements & Reports: Full Transparency Throughout

Inside the portal, you’ll find a clear record of every stage of your project’s development, including:

• your design brief (text + uploaded files)

• architectural drawings (drafts of each version and the final version)

• planning statements (drafts of each version and the final version)

• specialist reports (if applicable)

Each update appears automatically as soon as our team completes it, giving you full visibility of progress and ensuring nothing is ever lost or overlooked.

You can open, review, and download any document at any time.

5. All Your Documents in One Place, Including Your Decision Notice

To make record-keeping easy, the portal also includes an “All Documents” section. Here, every file associated with your project is neatly organised, including:

• design brief uploads

• all drawings

• all planning statements

• all 3rd party specialist reports

• all documents submitted with your application

• and finally, your planning decision notice, once issued by the council

Everything is stored securely and sorted automatically.

And if you need to download your full project bundle (e.g., for your builder, solicitor or mortgage lender)  you can do so with a single click.

6. Aisa – Your 24/7 AI Planning Assistant

Inside the portal, you’ll find Aisa, our intelligent AI planning assistant, designed to help answer quick questions about:

• latest updates

• project timeline

• next steps

• planning terminology

• where to find key documents

• general process information

Aisa is available 24/7 and 365, meaning you can get clarity at any time, even outside office hours.

She won’t give formal planning advice, that remains the role of our RTPI-accredited planners, but she’s a fast, friendly way to get guidance whenever you need it.

Why We Built This Portal

We designed the Planning By Design Client Portal to give you:

✔ Less stress – because you always know exactly what’s happening

✔ Total transparency – every document and update in one place

✔ Faster turnaround – clear communication means quicker decisions

✔ Better communication – no lost emails, no missed steps

✔ 24/7 support – through Aisa, whenever you need it

It’s part of our commitment to offering the most efficient, client-focused planning experience in the UK.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re an existing client, you’ll receive your login details shortly.

If you’re beginning a new project with us, the portal will be activated as soon as we receive your design brief.

We’re excited to bring you a smoother, smarter planning process, and we’ll continue expanding the portal with new features in the months ahead.

Thank you for choosing Planning By Design.

We’re here to make your planning journey clearer, simpler, and more successful than ever.