Legal

    Terms of Service

    Last updated: 17th January, 2026

    1. Acceptance of Terms

    By accessing and using Plans4, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use this service.

    2. Description of Service & Data Sources

    Plans4 is an information aggregation and community engagement platform that collects, organises, and analyses publicly available planning information from UK local planning authorities.

    Data Sources: All planning data is sourced from publicly available information under the Open Government Licence, including planning applications, documents, meeting agendas, and related materials published by local councils. Plans4 aggregates this public domain information to make it more accessible to the community.

    AI-Powered Analysis: We provide AI-generated analysis, summaries, sentiment indicators, and insights as a convenience tool to help users understand planning documents more easily. This analysis is automated and provided for informational purposes only.

    Important: The original, authoritative information resides on official council websites. Plans4 is not an official source of planning information and should be used as a supplementary tool only.

    3. Data Attribution & Source Transparency

    Plans4 is committed to clear attribution and transparency:

    • We clearly identify the source of all planning data (e.g., your local borough council)
    • We provide direct links to original council sources wherever possible
    • All AI-generated content (summaries, analysis, approval likelihood indicators) is clearly marked as such
    • Original planning documents, architectural drawings, and supporting materials remain the copyright of their respective owners (councils, architects, applicants)
    • We acknowledge that our data is provided under the Open Government Licence where applicable
    • Users can always access the original source material through links provided on our platform

    4. Open Government Licence (OGL v3.0)

    Attribution Statement

    Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

    Planning application data displayed on Plans4 is sourced from UK local planning authorities under the Open Government Licence version 3.0 (OGL v3.0). This licence permits Plans4 to:

    • Copy, publish, distribute, and transmit planning information
    • Adapt the information (e.g., create AI summaries, extract metadata, generate insights)
    • Combine it with other information on our platform
    • Use it for commercial and non-commercial purposes

    Important: What OGL Does NOT Cover

    The Open Government Licence applies to planning application text and public records, but does NOT automatically extend to:

    • Architectural drawings and designs — these may be copyrighted by architects or applicants
    • Consultant reports and specialist assessments — may have separate copyright
    • Maps and survey data — may be subject to Ordnance Survey or other licences
    • Photographs and visual materials — may be copyrighted by third parties
    • Personal data contained within documents
    • Third-party intellectual property embedded in submissions

    Our Approach: Plans4 provides summaries, metadata, and AI-extracted insights rather than republishing copyrighted original materials. We link to official council sources where users can access full documents through appropriate channels.

    User Guidance: You should not republish original architectural drawings, copyrighted supporting documents, or consultant reports without obtaining permission from the copyright holder. If you need access to original materials, please use the links we provide to official council planning portals.

    For more information about the Open Government Licence, visit The National Archives OGL page.

    5. Accuracy & Verification of Information

    Critical Disclaimer

    You must verify all information on official council websites before taking any action.Plans4 is an information aggregation tool, not an authoritative source.

    We make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of any information on our platform:

    • Planning data may be delayed, incomplete, or out of date
    • AI-generated summaries and analysis may contain errors or misinterpretations
    • Sentiment indicators and "Approval Likelihood" scores are automated predictions, not official assessments
    • Documents may fail to upload or analyse correctly
    • Council source data may change after we have aggregated it

    Always consult official council websites, planning portals, and planning officers for definitive information before making decisions, submitting objections or support, or taking any planning-related action.

    6. Service Availability & Continuity

    No Guarantee of Continued Service

    Plans4 may be suspended, modified, or terminated at any time without prior notice and without liability.

    The service is dependent on:

    • Availability of public data from councils, which may be restricted or modified at any time
    • Technical infrastructure that may experience outages or failures
    • Third-party services and APIs that may change or become unavailable
    • Regulatory changes that may affect our ability to operate

    We may be required to cease operations if requested by councils, regulatory authorities, or due to changes in data availability. Users should not rely solely on Plans4 for critical planning information or deadlines.

    7. User Responsibilities

    As a user of Plans4, you agree to:

    • Use the service only for lawful purposes in accordance with UK law
    • Verify all information on official council websites before acting on it
    • Understand that AI-generated objection or support letters are templates requiring personalisation
    • Take responsibility for submitting official responses directly to councils through proper channels
    • Not misrepresent AI-generated content as professional planning advice
    • Comply with all council submission procedures and deadlines
    • Not use the service to harass, defame, or harm others
    • Not republish original council documents without appropriate permissions
    • Exercise independent judgement and not rely solely on AI analysis

    8. User-Generated Content

    When you submit content to Plans4 (objections, support statements, comments, forum posts):

    • You retain ownership of your content
    • You grant Plans4 a non-exclusive licence to display, store, and aggregate your content
    • You are responsible for the accuracy and legality of your submissions
    • Your content may be shared with councils, the community, or used for analysis
    • We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove content that violates these terms
    • You must not submit harmful, defamatory, illegal, or infringing content

    9. AI-Generated Content Disclaimer

    Automated Analysis - Use With Caution

    All AI-generated analysis, summaries, sentiment indicators, and approval likelihood scores are automated interpretations that may contain errors.

    Specific AI Features:

    • Approval Likelihood: An algorithmic prediction based on document sentiment analysis, not an official assessment or planning officer's opinion
    • Document Summaries: Automated condensations that may miss important details or misinterpret technical content
    • Sentiment Analysis: Algorithmic interpretation of language that may not reflect actual intent or context
    • Generated Letters: Template text requiring significant personalisation and professional review before submission

    We accept no liability for decisions made based on AI-generated insights. These tools are provided for convenience only and should not be relied upon as professional advice.

    10. Intellectual Property & Copyright

    Original Planning Documents: All planning applications, documents, architectural drawings, and supporting materials remain the copyright and property of their respective owners (local councils, architects, applicants, consultants). We access these under the Open Government Licence or for fair dealing purposes only.

    Platform Content: The Plans4 website, design, software, and original content are owned by Plans4 Ltd and protected by copyright law.

    User Content: You retain copyright in content you submit, whilst granting us a licence to use it as described in these terms.

    Restrictions: Do not republish, redistribute, or commercially exploit original council documents or architectural works without permission from the copyright holder. Our provision of links and summaries constitutes fair dealing for information purposes only.

    11. Third-Party Links & Services

    Plans4 contains links to council websites, mapping services, and other third-party resources. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, availability, or policies of external sites. Third-party services have their own terms and conditions which apply to your use of those services.

    13. Data Protection, Privacy & Cookies

    Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy. By using Plans4, you consent to our data practices as described in that policy. We comply with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

    For details on how we use cookies and similar technologies, please see our Cookies Policy.

    14. Limitation of Liability

    Use at Your Own Risk

    Plans4 is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We accept no liability for losses arising from use of the service.

    To the fullest extent permitted by law, Plans4 Ltd shall not be liable for:

    • Inaccurate, incomplete, or out-of-date information
    • Errors or misinterpretations in AI-generated analysis
    • Missed planning deadlines or consultation periods
    • Planning decisions or outcomes
    • Service interruptions, data loss, or technical failures
    • Changes or removal of third-party data sources
    • Actions taken based on information from our platform
    • User-generated content or interactions with other users
    • Developer Showcase content or developer responses to community questions
    • Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
    • Loss of profits, revenues, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses

    Some jurisdictions do not allow certain liability exclusions, so some of the above may not apply to you.

    15. Service Modifications & Termination

    We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or terminate Plans4 (or any features thereof) at any time without notice and without liability. We may change pricing, access restrictions, or functionality. We may discontinue the service entirely if required by councils, authorities, or due to operational considerations. No refunds or compensation will be provided for service changes or termination.

    16. Geographic Scope & Jurisdiction

    Plans4 is a UK-focused service covering planning matters across local borough councils. These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

    17. Changes to Terms

    We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. We will notify users of significant changes via email or through prominent notices on our service. Your continued use of Plans4 after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. We recommend reviewing these terms periodically.

    18. Contact Information

    For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

    • Email: info@plans4.co.uk

    For copyright or data-related enquiries, please use the same contact details with "Copyright Enquiry" or "Data Enquiry" in the subject line.