Before you use the online checking service
The online checking service does not take some planning restrictions, known as article 3s, into account.
Before you use the service, you can check if your property is affected by an article 3 using the Public Access Maps
About Public Access Maps
Public Access Maps is a web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) that we use to make some of the council's important map-based data available to the public.
What we mean by 'layers'
Public Access Maps uses 'layers'.
Layers are GIS files that hold all records with the same dataset. The layers show each record with its associated attribute data.
The layers should appear on the right-hand side of the Public Access Maps page. If they do not, click the purple and white layers icon, which you can find to the top right of the page.
The layer for post 1990 planning applications will be switched on automatically. To switch this off and to view the article 3 layer, tick the article 3 box.
You can use the tick boxes to switch the different layers on and off.
The map
To move around the map, click and hold on the screen and drag the map in any direction, you can also zoom in and out.
You can use the search box to search for any Birmingham address:
Step 1
In the search box, type all or part of the address, and click the magnifying glass button, this will highlight all addresses that match your search criteria.
Step 2
On the list, click the correct address - the map will go to the address you selected.
If your search only returns 1 address, the map will automatically go to that address.
The properties with article 3 restrictions will be highlighted by shapes (polygons) with green hatch markings and a blue boundary.
Step 3
Click on the highlighted property - the system will give you the planning application number.
Step 4
To see details of each record click on the arrow at the top right-hand corner of the pop up box and make a note of each of the planning application (PA) numbers.
Step 5
To find out more about the restrictions, check the decision notice using the .
How to use the planning application search
Step 1
Enter the planning application number into the search box and run the search, you will see a summary of that planning application (PA).
Step 2
Click on the “view associated documents” link at the bottom of the page. This will take you to a table with the list of all associated documents.
To reduce the number of documents in the table, type “decision” into the search documents box in the top right of the screen.
Step 3
Click on the "view document" link in the "view" column of the table.;
Looking at the conditions on the decision notice will highlight whether there are any restrictions affecting your intended development proposals.
If the decision notice is not available, email: planning.registration@birmingham.gov.uk
Page last updated: 22 October 2025