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Validation checklist for Planning Applications

The validation checklists gives you details of what and how many additional items you may be required to submit with your planning application. The Planning Validation Checklist is available below.

This validation checklist of Planning Application Requirements (national and local) has been produced in accordance with section 62(3) of the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act, Section 11(2)(e) of The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, National Planning Practice Guidance and paragraph 44 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The intention is to assist in the achievement of good standards in service delivery whilst providing both the local authority and applicants with certainty as to the extent and nature of information that will be required to accompany applications in order to render them valid.

The Validation Checklist was previously published in February 2020, following consultation and formal adoption. National Planning Practice Guidance states that a local list should be reviewed at least every two years. In line with National Planning Practice Guidance, the Local Planning Authority reviewed the Validation Checklist in October 2023 and decided no material changes were necessary. The Local Planning Authority has therefore republished the Validation Checklist in October 2023.

If an application is submitted without the detailed requisite information the Local Planning Authority is entitled to declare the application ‘invalid’ and will not register or process it until the information is received in the event of an ‘invalid’ application being submitted.

The Local Planning Authority provides a pre-application advice service. This service should be used to identify all requisite supporting information at the earliest possible stage. This will ensure greater certainty and clarification of matters for applicants, and help us to deliver determinations within timescales set by government whilst ensuring due and proper consideration of all relevant issues.

Part 1 sets out the minimum National and Local requirements for all applications.

Part 2 sets out the list of additional supporting information that will also be required in certain specified circumstances, (dependent on development and the site location specifics).

Whilst guidance notes are provided it is recommended that future applicants will seek pre application advice prior to submission. If applicants properly address the requirements of the checklist the application will be considered to be valid and be registered. If these requirements are not addressed, there are discrepancies in plans, insufficient copies are provided or the fee unpaid the application will be considered invalid and not registered.

In circumstances where an application is not valid, we will normally endeavour to notify the applicant in writing within 5 working days, setting out the reasons for invalidity. If the additional information is not provided within 28 days the application and fee will be returned in full.