Make Your Planning Application Valid
Validation Checklist
Our Validation Checklist provide confirmation of all the relevant information required to accompany an application in order to make the application 'valid' and complete. This information must be provided in full at the start of the process and to an acceptable quality.
Our top five reasons for an invalid application are also shown below. These areas need particular attention prior to submission to ensure your applications in not unnecessarily delayed.
View the Planning Validation Checklist.
Validation Checklist [docx] 1639KB.
View the Local Validation Checklist Matrix [pdf] 169KB.
Householder Guidance:
Applying for Planning Permission? Get it right first time [pdf] 1138KB.
Top five reasons for an invalid application
1. Missing documents
Look at our validation guidance and our Get Things Right leaflet.
Use the application checklists.
The design and access statement is a particularly common cause of invalid applications. Please look at the design and planning page to see if your application needs one and to make sure it covers all the right areas of information.
2. Getting the basics right
This typically involves unsigned forms and certificates, as well as inconsistent application addresses. Examples of acceptable plans are shown in the Get Things Right leaflet.
3. Incorrect fees
This is a very common reason. These make up around one fifth of invalid applications. Please ensure that you have checked to pay the correct fee. We have currently suspended payment by cheque, for all other options please visit our methods of payment page.
4. Inconsistent plans
Inconsistency between elevations and floor plans can be a major stumbling block, so it is worthwhile ensuring that plans are consistent throughout.
See example plans shown in the Get Things Right leaflet below.
5. Missing red line
A red line outlining all land necessary to carry out the proposed development is required on site location plans.
Examples of acceptable plans are shown in the Get Things Right leaflet.
We strive to be flexible when dealing with planning applications, but we have to operate within national guidelines and rules. We therefore need enough information to assess each application carefully, and through following these five points your chances of a speedy decision increase greatly.
Publication of planning application documentation and data
Please note that all information you provide on the application form and in any accompanying documents will normally be published on the council's website. Only the applicant's personal details, such as telephone and email contact details, and signatures, will be routinely blanked out.
If you wish to provide information in support of the application which you regard as sensitive or confidential, and which you do not wish to be published as set out above, this must be submitted as a separate document and clearly marked as such. Such information should not be embedded within larger documents where it will be more difficult to identify. You should include with any such separate document an explanation as to why you do not wish the document to be published. The council will consider the request and may need to contact you further regarding the request.
