The reference number can be obtained from all publicity associated with the application, including press adverts (where relevant), site notices and neighbour notification letters. A valid application reference number will always find the relevant application without the need to complete any other field on the search page provided that you have highlighted the relevant local authority.

The format of the reference number will be different depending upon which authority will be determining the application you are interested in. If you are searching by use of application number then it is essential that you use the correct format for the relevant authority. Your search will return no data if you use the wrong format. The format adopted by each authority is set out below.

Example

For applications being determined by West Dorset District Council the reference number will be in the following form:

1 / AREA CODE (EITHER E, W, N or D) / YEAR (2 DIGIT NUMBER)/ APPLICATION NUMBER (6 DIGIT NUMBER)

For example 1/D/07/001345 is a valid West Dorset Reference. It is essential that (i) the year is written as two digits(i.e. 07 instead of 2007) and (ii) the application number must always comprises 6 digits (i.e. 000001 instead of 1).
Some applications at West Dorset have applications numbers formatted in an older style, for example 1/D/2007/0001. Searches for both formats will yield the same results.

For applications being determined by Dorset County Council the reference number will accord with the referencing system adopted by the district or borough council within which the application is situated: