Step 3: Review an Application — Back Office Planning System (BOPS) Walkthrough

Open a planning application to see the full assessment workflow

Step 3 of 4 • 5 minutes

Step 3 5 minutes

Review an Application in Detail

Open a planning application to see the full workflow stages, from validation through to determination.

Application detail shows the full planning workflow — validation, consultation, assessment, and review

The validation checklist ensures every required check is completed

Assessment tasks guide the case officer through the full planning assessment

Expected outcome

• ✓ Application detail page shows address, description, and status
• ✓ Workflow stages visible: Validation, Consultation, Assessment, Review
• ✓ Key dates shown: valid from, consultation end, expiry date

Open an application

1. Pick an "In assessment" application

   From the dashboard, click any application reference number with status "In assessment". For example, try one of the HAPP (householder) applications.

2. Review the header

   The application detail page shows:

   • Address and reference number — the site location
   • Status badge — "In assessment" with days to determination
   • Description — what the applicant is proposing
   • Application type — e.g., "Planning Permission - Full householder"
   • Public on BOPS Public Portal — whether this application is visible to the public
3. Check the key dates

   Three date panels at the top show the statutory timeline:

   • Valid from — when the application was validated
   • Consultation end — deadline for neighbour/consultee comments
   • Expiry date — statutory determination deadline (typically 56 days)
4. Explore the workflow stages

   The main section shows the planning workflow as a task list:

   Stage	What it covers
   Validation	Check documents, verify fee, confirm red line boundary
   Consultation	Notify neighbours, manage consultee responses, publicity
   Assessment	Assess against policies, site visits, planning considerations
   Review	Reviewer checks recommendation, publish determination

   Click into Check and validate or Check and assess to see the sub-tasks within each stage.

5. Check the details sections

   Expand the accordion sections at the bottom to see:

   • Application information — applicant details, agent information
   • Proposal details — what's being proposed
   • Documents — uploaded plans and supporting documents
   • Key application dates — full timeline
   • Audit log — history of all actions taken

This is the core of BOPS: Every planning application follows this structured workflow. The system ensures nothing is missed — each task must be completed before moving to the next stage. This is how councils like Lambeth process thousands of applications per year with consistent quality.

Need help?

If you're stuck, check the troubleshooting section or contact us.

Press Escape to close