Further guidance on validation requirements

Drawings

Drawings are preferred at A4 or A3. However, larger drawings are acceptable, particularly for more complex proposals. Where a drawing contains different elements of the proposal, they should be clearly grouped under headings. All drawings MUST include the following information:

•  the scale of the drawing (e.g. 1:100, 1:200 - it has to be a metric scale)
•  a scale bar
• title to identify the development and subject of the drawing

• a unique drawing number which also indicates any revisions (e.g. 1234 Revision A)

• all revisions should be described to identify any changes (e.g. Revision A - Layout changed)

• the date the plan was prepared or amended

Site location plan at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500

Such plans should show at least two named roads when possible. In rural areas, one road name is sufficient, along with any surrounding buildings to enable the site to be clearly identified. If submitted based on Ordnance Survey data, the plan needs to contain the relevant licence information as required by copyright law. The properties shown should be numbered or named to ensure that the exact location of the application site is clear and the direction of north needs to be indicated. The application site must be edged clearly with a red line, including all land necessary to carry out the proposed development. For example, land required for access to the site from a public highway; visibility splays; landscaping; car-parking; and open areas around buildings. If an existing access is going to be used, the red line needs to go up to the edge of highway land. A blue line must be drawn around any other land owned or controlled by the applicant which is close to or adjoining the application site. Applicants should check that all land within the red line is within their ownership or control, or consists of adopted highway. Where the red line includes third party land, this needs to be reflected in the ownership certificate on the application form (see Ownership Certificates below).

Site layout plan / block plan

This plan should set out the proposed development in relation to the site boundaries and other existing buildings on the site. The following detail should be included:

• land adjoining the site including access arrangements
• the species, position, and spread of, all trees within or overhanging the application site, including those on adjoining land with a canopy overhanging the application site
• the extent and type of any hard surfacing
• boundary treatments including walls or fencing where this is proposed

• the location and form of any new or amended vehicle or other accesses to the highway. This should include visibility splays for new vehicle accesses, and those where the use will increase as a result of the proposal. All of these vehicular access elements, including visibility splays, should be within the area enclosed by the red line on the site location plan at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500.

• the location, number and form of any vehicle or cycle parking

• the location and shape of any vehicle turning area

• the location, shape and scaled size of any water management/sustainable drainage (SuDs) features, (where appropriate/applicable)

• the direction of north

• a scale bar

• details of the position of refuse/recycling storage and presentation areas should also be shown on the proposed block plan

Floor plans and elevations

Floor plans and elevations should be submitted at a scale of 1:100 or 1:50 for all new buildings and for all proposals where extensions/alterations are proposed to existing buildings.

All sides of the existing building, as well as the proposed development, must be shown and these should indicate, where possible, the proposed building materials and the style, materials and finish of windows and doors.

New buildings should also be shown in context with adjacent buildings shown accurately in terms of position, footprint and height (including property numbers where applicable). Finished floor levels will be required for new detached building(s).

Where a proposed elevation adjoins another building, or is in close proximity to one, the drawings should clearly show the relationship between the buildings and detail the openings on each property.

These plans should also include a scale bar.

Although not an essential requirement, it is recommended that these plans include dimensions to aid the understanding of those consulted on and/or viewing the plans. 

Sections and levels

A cross section through the proposed building should be submitted at a scale of 1:100 or 1:50 in the following circumstances:

• where a proposal involves a change in ground levels - illustrative drawings should be submitted to show both existing and finished levels.

• on sloping sites - full information is required concerning alterations to levels, the way in which a proposal sits within the site and in particular, the relative levels between existing and proposed buildings. The drawings may take the form of contours, spot levels or cross or long sections as appropriate.

• for any detached buildings, both existing and finished levels will be required

• where the sloping ground extends across neighbouring land as well as the application site, the buildings on the adjacent land must be included and be accurate in terms of position and height

Ownership certificates

An ownership certificate must be completed for the land within the red line on the site location plan at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500 on all applications except:

• an application for reserved matters
• works to trees protected by tree preservation orders
• hedgerow removal notice
• any prior notification application
• notification of works to trees in conservation areas

• applications for express consent to display an advertisement

• certificate of lawfulness applications

• Any post decision application (discharge of condition, non-material amendment)

These certificates are embedded within the application form itself. For these purposes, an 'owner' is anyone with a freehold interest or leasehold interest, the unexpired term of which is not less than 7 years.

The responsibility for completing the appropriate certificate rests entirely with the applicant. The Planning Authority has no records of the details of ownership or lease of land or buildings. The Planning Authority will therefore rely solely on the information submitted with the application and therefore to avoid any delay or challenge it is important that the certificates are accurately completed.

Fill in Certificate A if the applicant is the only person who owns the application site and none of the land is part of an agricultural holding. This is what the completed certificate A confirms.

Fill in Certificate B if the applicant does not own the application site, or if the applicant owns the site but there are other people who also own it or have an interest in it (for example shared freeholders, leaseholders, agricultural tenants). You will need to list the names and addresses of any other people and confirm the date when you "served notice" (that is, formally told them) that you were making the application by giving them the Part 1 Notice. This is what the completed Certificate B confirms, which is required at least 21 days before the submission of the application.

You should use Certificate C if you know some owners or agricultural tenants but not all of them. In this case you must also explain what reasonable steps you have taken to identify other owners and/or agricultural tenants. You will need to list the names and addresses of any other people and confirm the date when you "served notice" (that is formally told them) that you were making the application. You will also have to place a public notice in a newspaper circulating in area where the land lies, which is required at least 21 days before the submission of the application.

You should use Certificate D if you do not know any of the owners and/or agricultural tenants. In this case you must also explain what reasonable steps you have taken to identify the owners. You will also have to place a public notice in a newspaper circulating in area where the land lies.

A notice to the owners of the application site must be used if Certificate B has been completed and may be required if Certificate C has been completed, and some owners other than the applicant are known. A copy should be served on each of the individuals identified in the relevant certificate. It will be helpful if a copy of each notice served accompanies the application. This notice can be found on the Planning Portal: Notice 1.

Fees

The correct fee for your application may be found on the Planning Portal website: A guide to the fees for planning applications in England