Planning Permission: The Planning Application - Everything You Need To Understand

When applying for planning permission in the UK, there are several national requirements that must be met and in some cases local requirements specific to that Local Planning Authority. The standard National requirements include:

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1.  Completing an Application Form

2.  Payment of Fees (learn more here)

3. Site Location Plan and Block Plan (learn more here)

4. Design and Access Statement (learn more here)

5. Planning Statement (learn more here)

6. Heritage Statement

7. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (learn more here)

8. Planning Permission History (learn more here)

9. Other Consultant Reports (eg. ecology, highways, and many more - if applicable) (full list here)
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1. Completing an application form

The applicant must fill out the appropriate application form and provide all the information required by the local planning authority. This typically includes details about the proposed development, such as the size and layout of the buildings or structures and information about the site, such as its location and ownership.

2. Payment of Fees

The applicant must pay the appropriate fee for the application to be considered. The fee varies depending on the type and size of the development, as well as the local planning authority. Learn more.

3. Site location plan and block plan

A plan showing the location of the site at 1-1250 scale, as well as a detailed block plan of the proposed development at 1-500 scale must be submitted with the application. These plans help the local planning authority understand the location and layout of the proposed development. Learn more.

4. Design and Access Statement

A statement that explains how the design of the proposed development addresses issues of accessibility, safety, and sustainability. This statement should demonstrate how the design of the development is in compliance with national and local policies, standards, and guidelines. This is not usually required for smaller domestic or commercial extensions or one-off buildings, albeit the LPA (Local Planning Authority) may require a supporting statement depending upon the sensitivity of the location. Learn more.

5. Planning Statement

A statement that explains how the proposal complies with national and local planning policies and how it would be beneficial to the local area. This statement should demonstrate how the proposal aligns with the local authorities' development plans and policies. Once again, this is not generally required for smaller applications or for schemes which are in non-sensitive areas with regards to planning policy.  (Learn more)

6. Heritage Statement

A statement that explains the potential impact of the proposal on any nearby heritage assets, such as listed buildings or conservation areas. This statement should demonstrate how the proposal will not have a negative impact on local heritage sites. This is generally only required when the application is within or bordering a conservation area, or within the vicinity of a listed building and may affect it’s setting. 

7. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

An EIA may be required if the proposed development has the potential to have significant effects on the environment. This assessment will look at how the development might affect the environment, including things like air and water quality, biodiversity, and the use of natural resources. This is only normally required for planning applications for large housing schemes or commercial developments. Learn more.

8. Planning permission history

 As part of the Planning Statement, the applicant may also provide the history of any previous planning permission, appeals, or enforcement actions on the site. This is to ensure that the proposed development is not in violation of any previous planning decisions or restrictions. Learn more.

9. Other consultant reports

There is a plethora of other reports depending completely on the project, its location etc.

These include: Ecology, Highways, Coal Mining etc. Full list of UK assessments here.

Always check with the Local Planning Authority to determine if any reports are required for the development in question.

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As a minimum: scaled drawings of the existing building ie your existing house and possibly garden, a site plan, location plan, and the plans and elevations of your proposals.

More often than not these should also include the relationship with adjacent properties in order that the scale of the proposal and impact on the surroundings can be assessed. Unless you are very proficient in technical drawings, you will need to pay for drawings and designs from your architect. The minimum scale for these drawings is normally 1-100 scale. 

As a rule of thumb, the standard planning application for a house extension after submission can take up to 4 weeks to be registered followed by a target period of 8 weeks for you to be given a decision.

This can be straightforward, however the planning system is currently in disarray. Don’t be surprised if you get to the end of the 8 weeks and they ask you to agree to an extension of time.

If there is a problem with your design, your LPA (Local Planning Authority) will normally discuss this with you and ask you to address their concerns. If you do this and revise your scheme, they will have to re-consult with neighbours / relevant objectors which will take more time. If the the LPA fundamentally disagree with the proposal and cannot see a way forward for the application then they may just issue a planning refusal. At this point the choices are to submit a revised scheme, a planning appeal, or do both in parallel.

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