What is TownBrief?
TownBrief is an information aggregator that helps people understand what has changed in their town. We collect publicly available information about planning applications, roadworks, events, and other official local updates, and present it in a clear, chronological format.
Our aim is to make it easier for residents to stay informed about developments in their local area without having to check multiple council websites or official sources.
What TownBrief Covers
TownBrief aggregates information in three main categories:
- Planning applications – New applications, decisions, and consultations submitted to local planning authorities
- Roadworks and disruptions – Scheduled roadworks, closures, and traffic management notices from local authorities and utility companies
- Publicly listed events – Official events, consultations, and public meetings announced by councils and public bodies
We may also include other official local updates where they are publicly available and relevant to residents.
Data Sources
TownBrief collects information from publicly available official sources, including:
- Local authority websites and planning portals
- Government open data platforms
- Official council announcements and notices
- Publicly accessible roadworks and traffic management systems
We attribute all information to its original source and provide links back to the official source material. TownBrief does not republish full articles or documents; we only display titles, publication dates, and brief summaries.
For each town, you can view the complete list of data sources on the town's sources page, which includes information about compliance, licensing, and attribution requirements.
Use of Summaries
To improve readability, TownBrief provides short, factual summaries of source material. These summaries are designed to be:
- Factual – Based solely on information from the original source
- Neutral – No opinions, commentary, or speculation
- Concise – Typically limited to 240 characters or less
Summaries do not add new information or interpretation. They are derived directly from source material to help readers quickly understand what has been announced or published.
For complete information, readers should always refer to the original source via the provided links.
What TownBrief is Not
To avoid misunderstanding, it is important to clarify what TownBrief does not provide:
- Not a replacement for council websites – TownBrief aggregates information but does not replace official council sources. For authoritative information, planning decisions, or official documents, always refer to the relevant council website.
- Not investigative journalism – We do not conduct investigations, interviews, or analysis. We aggregate and summarise publicly available information only.
- Not a real-time emergency service – TownBrief is updated periodically and should not be relied upon for urgent or emergency information.
- Not an authority on planning decisions – We do not provide legal advice, planning guidance, or official interpretations. Planning decisions and their implications should be verified with the relevant local authority.
Corrections and Takedowns
If you believe that information on TownBrief is incorrect or should be removed, please contact us. We review all requests promptly and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable laws and our terms of service.
For correction or takedown requests, please email:
Email: takedown@townbrief.example
Please include details about the specific content, why you believe it should be corrected or removed, and any relevant documentation. More information about our takedown process is available in our Terms of Service.
Contact
For general enquiries about TownBrief, please email:
Email: contact@townbrief.example