Planning data searches one area at a time. You choose it under Where, at the top of the filters, in one of three ways: Map area, Postcode or Draw.
Search what's on the map
Click Planning data in the sidebar.
If the page opens on What work are you after? with a box to write in, click I'll pick them myself to see the filters.
Under Where, click Map area.
Move or zoom the map. The results follow whatever the map shows.
Search round a postcode or town
Under Where, click Postcode.
Type a postcode or town and pick it from the list.
Choose how far out to look, from Within 1 mile up to Within 54 miles.
The circle shows on the map. To move it or change its shape, click Edit area at the top left of the map, then drag the circle or pull its points. Click Edit area again when you're done.
Draw your own area
Under Where, click Draw. The map comes up to draw on.
Click Area, then click points round the area you work in. Click the first point again to close the shape.
Or click Circle, then click the middle and click again to set its size.
Draw as many shapes as you like. Press Esc to stop drawing.
Under the tools, Buildscout says how many shapes you've drawn and how big they are in all.
To change your shapes, switch on Move & reshape, then drag a shape or its points. Click a shape and Delete shape removes it. Clear shapes removes them all, once you've said you're sure. Switch Move & reshape off again to open applications on the map.
Read the map
Each dot is an application, coloured by its decision: Approved, Rejected, Undecided or Withdrawn or other. A circle with a number is how many applications are in that spot. Click it to zoom in. Click a single dot to see the application and View application to open it. The Map key at the bottom left explains the colours; click it to fold it away.
Planning data remembers your area, and the rest of your search, the next time you open it on the same browser.
Why there are no results
Choose a place to search: you've picked Postcode but no place yet. Type a postcode or town.
Draw an area to search: you've picked Draw but haven't drawn a shape. Click Draw on the map and draw one.
Nothing matches here: no application in your area matches your filters. Try a bigger area, a longer time or fewer filters.
Why I can't click an application on the map
While Move & reshape is on, or a drawing tool is in your hand, clicks on the map go to your shapes. Switch Move & reshape off, or press Esc, and the applications open again.
Is there a limit on how big my area can be?
No. You can search as wide an area as you like. The count stops at 10,000, so a very big search says 10,000+ rather than an exact number. To save or export the leads, though, a search has to find 2,000 or fewer.