What a postcode planning-constraint screen can and cannot tell you

The screen uses one point

PropertyMetrics resolves a postcode to a latitude and longitude and asks the Planning Data platform which connected designations intersect that point. The point represents a postcode centroid. It is not the property's title polygon, building footprint or garden boundary.

A designation returned at the centroid is a reason to investigate. A result with no designations is not confirmation that the property is unrestricted.

Coverage differs by dataset and authority

The first release checks a limited group of English datasets including Article 4 direction areas, conservation areas, flood-risk zones, green belt, listed buildings and tree-preservation zones. Availability and completeness differ between local planning authorities.

Some relevant matters may sit in local systems, planning history, title documents or environmental searches and may not be present in the connected national dataset.

Move from screening to verification

Use the screen to decide which questions to ask next. Confirm the property boundary, inspect the source reference, search the local authority planning portal and obtain the appropriate conveyancing searches.

• Check whether the designation intersects the actual property.
• Confirm the date and status of the source record.
• Ask what works or use changes require consent.
• Keep professional conclusions outside the screening tool.