planscope.co.uk

What It Is

PlanScope is a Chrome browser extension and web service built for the UK property market. It displays planning permissions, nearby planning applications, local authority approval rates, and key planning constraints alongside third-party property listings on sites such as Rightmove and Zoopla, helping users assess renovation potential and potential risks before making an offer or arranging a more in-depth viewing.

Core Features and Experience

The core idea is “due diligence while you browse”: after installing the extension, users can view a data panel on listing pages without creating an account. It covers planning applications within a 500-metre radius, with filters by status, type, and date. It also provides approval rates and average decision times for local authorities. Constraint data includes conservation areas, listed buildings, green belts, flood zones, Article 4 directions, and more. Offline caching is a useful highlight, especially for property viewings where mobile signal may be unreliable.

Pricing and Plans

The free plan is £0/month and includes 10 searches per month, nearby applications, approval rates, and basic constraints. Pro costs £9/month and upgrades users to unlimited searches, all planning constraints, smart analysis, offline access, and email support. Enterprise is custom-priced and includes unlimited team members, dedicated support, and custom integrations. The terms indicate that subscriptions can be prepaid monthly or annually, cancellations require contacting the service by email, and refunds are generally not provided.

Pros and Cons

Its strengths are simple installation, the ability to try it without an account, and integration with major UK property platforms, which can bring planning-risk assessment much earlier in the buying process. It is straightforwardly useful for first-time buyers, property investors, and homeowners. The limitations are that the currently disclosed information focuses mainly on the Chrome extension; there are no clear details on mobile apps, other browsers, a public API, permission management, or compliance certifications. While the data sources are public and third-party datasets, the update frequency and accuracy guarantees are not explained.

Who It’s For and Access from China

PlanScope is suitable for individual buyers, investors, homeowners, and small property teams focused on UK real estate. For Chinese users investing in UK property, it can serve as a supplementary research tool; however, its data and platform integrations are tightly tied to the UK market and are not applicable to mainland China property use cases. The main text does not state its access status from China, and payment methods are also not disclosed. In practice, users will need to test availability of the Chrome Web Store, access to Rightmove/Zoopla, and international payment support.