How to apply

Planning permission - Supporting information

Your application must be made up of:

• The necessary plans of the site
• The required supporting documentation
• The completed form
• The correct fee.

If you’re applying online, once you have submitted your application it will automatically be received by the relevant Local Planning Authority (LPA). 

The LPA will not be able to process your application unless the mandatory supporting documentation has been provided. You can also attach any other relevant documentation which you think will help the local authority determine the application. 

Read detailed descriptions of each type of supporting document¹.

Please note, online submission of supporting information may not always be possible because of the file size or type. If this is the case, you may be able to provide information in hard copy (three copies plus the original) or electronically^* (e.g. CD, USB storage device), this can be done even if the application has been submitted via the Planning Portal. In these circumstances applicants will be notified of the validity of their application when the LPA is satisfied it’s received all the necessary information.

*Your LPA may have their own acceptable method for you to provide supporting information, please check with your local authority what these are before submitting.

Find your local planning authority ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)}

There are two levels of mandatory documents, national and local. If you’re applying online, the service will tell you what mandatory documentation you need to provide and allows you to attach the relevant documents. If you are posting the application, at least three copies of the form and any supporting information, including plans, are required, although some planning authorities may ask for more.

Mandatory documents

National requirements

As a minimum, you must provide the following documents for your planning application to be valid:

• The standard application form
• Most planning applications require two plans to be submitted as supporting documents:
  • Location plan – which shows the site area and its surrounding context. This can be purchased online from the Planning Portal's accredited supplier² either as part of the application process, or separately, and then attached to the application
  • Site Plan (sometimes known as a block plan) –  which shows the proposed development in detail and can be purchased from the Portal’s accredited supplier³.
• An ownership certificate A, B, C or D must be completed stating the ownership of the property
• Agricultural holdings certificate – this is required whether or not the site includes an agricultural holding. All agricultural tenants must be notified prior to the submission of the application
• Design and access statement (if required) – this should outline the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the proposed development and how issues relating to access to the development have been dealt with. Find out more about design and access statements⁴.
• Fire Statement (if required) – From 1 August 2021, full planning applications involving buildings that are at least 18 metres (or 7 stories) tall containing more than one dwelling will require a Fire Statement. There are some exemptions. View government planning guidance on fire statements⁵ or access the fire statement template and guidance⁶.
• Correct application fee. You can calculate the correct fee for your application by using the Portal’s fee calculator⁷.

Local level requirements

In addition to the national list, your LPA may produce a list which details any specific documentation that is required to accompany the application. The requirements may vary according to the type of application, i.e. household, full, outline, etc. If you are applying online, this list is available from the supporting documents screen.

Alternatively, the local requirements can be found on the relevant LPA’s website.

Find your local planning authority ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)}

Notices to owners and agricultural tenants

Depending on the ownership of the land and if it is under an Agricultural Tenancy, you may be required to send notices to any owners or agricultural tenants prior to submitting your application. Details of the owners or agricultural tenants and the date notice was given will also need to be provided as part of the application.

'Owner' means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold with at least seven years unexpired.

'Agricultural tenant' means a tenant of an agricultural holding, any part of which is comprised in the land to which the application relates.

Notice templates, and when to use which notice

For householder planning applications, the Householder Notice⁸ can be used in all situations.

For all other relevant applications:

• Where the owners of the land are known, Notice 1⁹ must be submitted to all known owners or agricultural tenants. This may apply when ownership certificate B or C is relevant.
• Where some or all of the owners are not known, Notice 2¹⁰ must be published in a local newspaper. This may apply when ownership certificate C or D is relevant.
• You may require a mix of the above if some, but not all, of the owners are known.

Detailed government guidance¹¹ on ownership certificates is available to help with your application.

Related links

Guidance on the information requirements and validation¹² (external link to gov.uk)

Personal data and planning applications

Please note that with the exception of the applicant contact details (telephone numbers and email addresses), all the information you provide on the application form and in any accompanying documents may be published on the website of the local authority dealing with your application.

To avoid the publication of personal details, do not include them, or any other information which falls within the definition of personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998, in documents supporting your application.

If you require any further clarification, please contact your local authority's planning department.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/supporting-document-types
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/buy-a-planning-map
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/buy-a-planning-map
4. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-application#paragraph_029
5. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fire-safety-and-high-rise-residential-buildings-from-1-august-2021
6. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-application-forms-templates-for-local-planning-authorities
7. https://1app.planningportal.co.uk/FeeCalculator/Standalone
8. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/1app/notices/householder_notice.pdf
9. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/1app/notices/notice1.pdf
10. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/1app/notices/notice2.pdf
11. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-application#Ownership-Certificate-and-Agricultural-Land-Declaration
12. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-application