Planning Advisory Service
The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) was established in 2004 to provide planning help, advice and training to councils in England. It is part of the Local Government Association and provides training, guidance and forums for planning advise.
Some of these services are free, however, some are now paid for, although they are still provided at cost and in a way that supports the goals and ethos of local government.
Councils can join us as subscribers and will then gain access to events and briefings to keep them up-to-date, a quarterly ‘best practice' update and annual training session for councillors or planning committees.
In April 2016, The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced that it had has halved its grant to the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) for the financial year, 2016/17.
A DCLG spokesman said: “The Planning Advisory Service will continue to play a valuable role in helping councils deliver effective planning.
“We are still supporting the Service with a £1m grant. However, all parts of the public sector need to play their part in tackling the deficit and delivering greater value for money for the taxpayer.
“PAS will become more focused and targeted on working with councils whose performance needs to improve, while improving value for money.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.