Docs

Two ways to connect

Jump to MCP setup (Claude & ChatGPT) or REST API reference.

Claude & ChatGPT (MCP)

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets AI assistants like Claude talk to live data sources securely. PlanningData exposes an MCP server at mcp.planningdata.ai — point your assistant at it and it can answer questions about UK planning directly.

Claude Desktop

Edit claude_desktop_config.json (Claude → Settings → Developer → Edit Config) and add:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "planningdata": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.planningdata.ai",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. You should see the PlanningData tools available in the tool picker. Get an API key from your dashboard.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT custom connectors (MCP) are rolling out. When they're available in your account, point the connector at https://mcp.planningdata.ai with a Bearer token.

Tools available

search_applications

Find applications by council, postcode radius, category, status, date range.

get_application

Fetch full detail for one application reference, including AI enrichment and constraint overlays.

list_councils

List covered councils with application counts.

get_stats

Dataset-wide totals and freshness.

REST API

Standard REST endpoints returning JSON. Pass your API key in the X-API-Key header.

GET
/applications
List with filters: council, status, category, scale, constraints, date range
GET
/applications/:reference
Full detail including AI enrichment and constraint overlays
GET
/councils
Covered councils with counts and last-scraped timestamps
POST
/webhooks
Subscribe to changes · Enterprise
response.json
{
  "reference": "26/00330/FUL",
  "council":    "Plymouth",
  "description": "Loft conversion with rear dormer",
  "address":    "13 Charlton Road PL6 5EG",
  "status":     "pending",
  "dates": {
    "received": "2026-01-15"
  },
  "geo": { "lat": 50.4095, "lon": -4.0839 },
  "enrichment": {
    "category":   "residential_extension",
    "scale":      "minor",
    "confidence": "high"
  }
}

Rate limits

Starter: 500 searches/day · Professional: 10,000 searches/day · Enterprise: custom.

Questions? Join the waitlist and we'll get in touch during onboarding.