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What you need for a planning application - advice for a homeowner

Planning application validation requirements

Before we can process your planning application, you must submit all the required forms, plans, documents and supporting information. This page explains what you need to include with your application.

Use the links below to go straight to each section. You can also return to the top of the page at any time using the 'Back to top' button.

Application form

You must use the national standard application forms.

If you apply online using the Planning Portal, you can choose and complete the correct form there.

If you prefer to download a form, use the Planning Portal form chooser to select and download the right one.

Make sure you:

  • answer all questions fully and correctly
  • include the applicant's name, even if an agent submits the application
  • write a clear and accurate description of the development

Include everything you need permission for. This helps us check your application without delays.

Application fee

You must pay the correct fee when you submit your application. We cannot process your application without it.

To find out the correct fee:

If you are still unsure, you can send a fee enquiry using our contact us form.

You can read more about planning fees and how to pay them.

Ownership certificate

You must include the correct ownership certificate with your planning application. The applicant or agent must sign and date the certificate to confirm the information is correct.

If you submit the wrong certificate, we cannot process your application. You will need to withdraw your application and submit a new one with the correct certificate. This will delay your application.

The National Planning Practice Guidance explains what an ownership certificate is and which one you need.

It is a criminal offence to knowingly or recklessly provide false or misleading information. You could be fined up to £5,000.

Which certificate to use

Certificate A

Use this if:

  • you are the only owner of the land
  • the land is not part of an agricultural holding
  • no part of the development crosses a boundary or uses land you do not own

If any part crosses a boundary or includes highway access, you must use Certificate B.

Certificate B

Use this if:

  • someone else has an interest in the land
  • the land is part of an agricultural holding
  • the land is jointly owned or involves shared access (for example, a dropped kerb or access over land you do not own)

You must print and serve Notice 1 (PDF) to everyone with an interest in the land. You must also confirm who you have served and when.

Certificate C

Use this if:

  • you do not own all of the land
  • you know some, but not all, of the other owners or tenants

You must:

  • serve Notice 1 (PDF) on everyone you know
  • complete and publish Notice 2 (PDF) in a local newspaper for those you cannot identify

Certificate D

Use this if:

  • you do not own all of the land
  • you do not know any of the other owners or tenants

You must complete and publish Notice 2 (PDF) in a local newspaper.

Validation checklist form

You must complete and submit a validation checklist form with your application. This checks that you have included all the documents and drawings we need.

The form lets you explain if any items are not included and why. The Customer and Operations Team will review your comments when they assess your application.

Drawings and plans

Your plans and drawings must follow these standards:

  • submit them in PDF format if applying online
  • use metric scale for all drawings
  • include a title on each drawing (for example: existing rear (south) elevation)
  • include a scale bar and confirm the scale used
  • do not add disclaimers like "Do not Scale", "Not to Scale" or "Draft" — we will reject drawings with these disclaimers
  • keep each file under 30MB

Location plan

You must include a location plan to show where the site is and what land the application covers.

The National Planning Practice Guidance explains what information should be included.

Your location plan must:

  • be based on an up-to-date Ordnance Survey map
  • be at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500
  • include a scale bar
  • show the scale written on the drawing
  • clearly mark the direction of north
  • show the full site, all boundaries, and adjoining properties
  • outline in red: all land included in the application and any land needed to access the site from the highway
  • outline in blue: any other land you own or control near the site
  • show your authorised copier’s licence number and include the correct copyright acknowledgements
  • not use Land Registry documents or plans (due to copyright restrictions)

Important: copying Ordnance Survey maps without a valid licence breaches Ordnance Survey copyright.

Proposed site plan / block plan

You must include a proposed site plan (also called a block plan). This is a large-scale plan showing your site, the proposed development, and how it relates to nearby properties.

Your site plan must:

  • be based on an up-to-date Ordnance Survey map
  • be at a scale of 1:500 or 1:200
  • include a scale bar
  • show the scale written on the drawing
  • clearly mark the direction of north
  • match the red edge boundary shown on your location plan
  • show:
    • the full site, boundaries, existing buildings, roads, footpaths and neighbouring properties
    • any buildings to be removed
    • existing and proposed boundary treatments (such as fences or walls)
    • access arrangements, including access width, visibility splays, parking (cars and cycles)
    • the position of existing trees and hedges, including any to be removed or affected

You can find further guidance on the Planning Portal (PDF).

Existing and proposed elevations

You must submit elevation drawings to show the proposed development alongside the existing building or structure.

Existing elevations show the building as it currently is.

Proposed elevations show how the building will change.

Each elevation plan must:

  • include the site address and say whether it shows existing or proposed
  • be drawn to scale at 1:100 or 1:50, with a scale bar
  • label each elevation with its direction (for example, south elevation or west elevation)
  • show all elevations in full, unless we have agreed otherwise
  • include proposed building materials, style and finish, with details for windows, doors and rainwater goods — or state ‘match existing’ if nothing changes
  • include a drawing number or reference

Existing and proposed floor plans

You must submit floor plans to show the existing layout and any changes you are proposing. Floor plans are drawings viewed from above. They show rooms, spaces and other internal features on each floor.

Each floor plan must:

  • be drawn to scale at 1:100 or 1:50, with a scale bar
  • include the site address and say whether it shows existing or proposed
  • clearly show the changes (you can use colour to highlight changes)
  • show any walls or buildings to be demolished
  • show all openings, such as windows and doors
  • show the full floor level, not just the extension or alteration
  • include a drawing number or reference
  • include the original paper size

Existing and proposed roof plans

You must submit roof plans if you are making any changes or alterations to the roof.

Each roof plan must:

  • be drawn to scale at 1:100 or 1:50, with a scale bar
  • show the position of all ridges, valleys, dormer openings, rooflights and other roof features
  • include a drawing number or reference

Existing and proposed site sections and levels

You must submit site section plans if you are changing the existing ground levels. This includes:

  • sloping sites
  • sites with different ground levels across the plot or between neighbouring properties

Each site section plan must:

  • be drawn to scale at 1:200, 1:100 or 1:50, with a scale bar
  • show existing and proposed cross sections through the building(s)
  • show existing and proposed levels, including any retaining walls, using an off-site fixed datum point
  • show the proposal in relation to neighbouring properties
  • include a drawing number or reference

Ecology and trees checklist

You must submit an ecology and trees checklist with your application.

The checklist helps identify if further surveys or reports are needed. We cannot validate your application without a completed checklist.

If the checklist shows you need further surveys or reports, you must submit these with your application. Submit each document separately and clearly label them.

You may need to provide:

  • ecology report
  • tree report
  • tree survey
  • tree protection plan
  • arboricultural method statement

Refer to the checklist for guidance on completing it and submitting any extra documents.

Householder sustainability checklist

You must submit a householder or minor sustainability checklist with all householder and minor planning applications.

The checklist helps ensure that new developments, including smaller projects, are designed to reduce energy use and respond to climate change. We cannot validate your application without a completed checklist.

Section 12 of the Design Guide gives more advice on sustainability and how to include measures in your development.

You can also read about how the council is tackling climate change in our climate change strategy.

Parking plan

You must submit a parking plan if your proposal affects existing parking or requires additional parking. This includes householder applications where you are adding bedrooms.

You can find full parking requirements in the Parking Standards for New Developments SPD.

Your parking plan must:

If your application affects parking and you do not include a parking plan, we cannot validate your application.

Photographs

Photographs help us assess your application and understand the site and its surroundings. We encourage you to submit photographs showing:

  • the application site
  • how the site relates to neighbouring buildings
  • the wider context of the area

Where possible, provide:

  • photographs of all relevant parts of the site
  • photos showing the relationship with neighbouring buildings
  • photos taken from or near the rear boundary (unless other features block the view)
  • closer photos to show the position of neighbouring windows

You may also wish to submit a block plan marked with where each photograph was taken.

If the application affects the street scene, include:

  • photos of the application property and neighbouring buildings
  • photos of any other buildings in the street scene that are relevant
  • clear labelling to show which properties are in each image

We may still need to visit the site if remote assessment is not possible. The case officer will contact you directly if this is required.

Note: your application will still be validated if photographs are not provided. However, submitting photographs can help support your application and may avoid delays.

Design and access statement

You must submit a design and access statement if your application is for:

  • listed building consent
  • any major development (full or outline)
  • development in a conservation area that creates more than 100m² of new floor space
  • one or more new residential dwellings in a conservation area

A design and access statement (DAS) explains:

  • how the proposed development responds to the site and its surroundings
  • how people will access and use the site

You can find more guidance on the Planning Portal and in the National Planning Practice Guidance.

Your statement should match the size and complexity of your proposal. Generally, it should cover:

  • use: what the proposal is for
  • quality: how it delivers high-quality design
  • layout: how buildings and spaces are arranged on the site and relate to the surrounding area
  • scale: size of buildings compared to nearby properties and open spaces
  • landscaping: how open spaces will be used and integrated into the site
  • appearance: what the development will look like, including materials
  • access (vehicular): site access points, reasons for location, and relationship to local roads
  • access (pedestrian): how people will enter and use the site, including links to existing footpaths and routes

Use photographs, drawings and maps where possible to help explain your proposal.

Heritage statement

You must submit a heritage statement with:

  • all listed building consent applications
  • any planning application affecting:
    • listed buildings
    • conservation areas
    • scheduled ancient monuments
    • registered parks and gardens
    • non-designated heritage assets (if identified during the application process)

You can check if your site is affected using our interactive mapping tool.

Search for your address using the postcode, then use the ‘my maps’ tab to view:

  • listed buildings (under planning control)
  • conservation areas, scheduled ancient monuments, and registered parks and gardens (under Adopted Local Plan)

A heritage statement explains the historical, architectural or archaeological significance of the asset. You should use it to help shape your proposals.

The level of detail depends on the significance of the site and the nature of the works. You can use our heritage statement form to help you prepare your statement.

Your heritage statement should:

  • assess the heritage significance: include evidence such as maps, photographs and documents, and describe the history and role of the asset in the local area
  • assess the impact: explain how the proposed works will affect the asset and its setting, using drawings, photos and maps
  • set out any mitigation: explain how you will protect the asset and its setting, including materials and construction methods that could affect the asset

For further advice, see statements of heritage significance and guidance on the setting of heritage assets from Historic England.

What happens if you do not provide all the required information

If your application is invalid, we will write to you (or your agent) explaining what information is missing. You will have 28 days to submit the missing information.

If your application remains invalid after 28 days, we will close the case. We will retain part of your application fee to cover administrative costs. Before closing the case, we will make every attempt to contact you to help resolve any issues.

The following charges apply if your application is closed after 28 days:

  • householder, advertisement and prior notification applications: £75
  • minor and similar applications: £120
  • major and complex applications: £250

If your application is made valid, we can normally make a decision based on the information provided. In some cases, we may still request additional information in line with our amendment protocol.

Pre-application advice

We offer a paid pre-application advice service for both householder and non-householder applications. This can help you understand what information you will need to submit.

The pre-application service can clarify national and local validation requirements and identify any extra documents you may need.

Disputes

If you disagree with the reasons for your application being made invalid, you should first contact us to try and resolve the issue.

Contact the Customer and Operations Officer dealing with your application. Set out your reasons for disagreeing with the information we have requested. We will review this information.

If there is still no agreement after review, you can formally dispute our request by serving an Article 12 notice under Article 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

Your Article 12 notice must explain why you believe the information we have requested does not meet the statutory tests.

Once we receive your Article 12 notice, we must respond within the statutory time period for your type of application:

  • 16 weeks for applications requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • 13 weeks for major applications
  • 8 weeks for all other applications

We will review your case and issue one of the following:

  • a validation notice – confirming the requested information is no longer required
  • a non-validation notice – confirming the information is still required

If you receive a non-validation notice, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate after the relevant time period has passed.

For the purpose of appeal, the statutory time period will have started on the date we received the correct fee, all necessary documents, and other information needed to validate the application, excluding the disputed information.

You can read more about Article 12 notices in the statutory tests guidance.