National planning application requirements
National planning application requirements
To be valid, your application must include documents from both the national and local lists. These national requirements (notes 1 to 7) apply across the UK.
Use a checklist to help
Each checklist shows the national and local documents you need for your type of application. It helps you send the right things the first time and saves you from reading the full list.
Pick the validation checklist that matches your application
Get it right the first time:
- avoid delays, if anything is missing we will make your application invalid
- send all the documents together, we cannot wait for them or add them as a condition
- send everything on the checklist, we need all information upfront to check if it fits the site
- tell us what's included on the front cover, we will not search through your files to find something
Note 1. Application form
Send a completed form so we can process your application. Read the help text as you go, it explains what to do. Use a combined form if you're applying for more than one type of permission. For example: Householder planning with listed building consent.
When to submit this
Required for all planning applications.
Make sure it’s valid
Check the following:
- answer every question fully
- include the applicant’s full name and title (if you're applying as their agent)
- only complete one ownership certificate, check which certificate applies on GOV.UK
- if you're not the only owner download notice one or 2 from the Planning Portal
- fill out the agricultural land declaration if it's part of the form
Get the form
Apply online using the Planning Portal
Or use the paper form chooser tool on the Planning Portal to select the right application form.
Download a paper form from the Planning Portal
Note 2. Application fee
The Government sets planning fees across England. Pay the fee or state an exemption when you submit your application.
When to submit this
A fee is required for all applications apart from:
- listed building consent
- certificate of lawfulness of proposed works to a listed building
- demolition in a conservation area
- tree works applications
- hedgerow removal notice
Work out the cost
Calculate fees on the Planning Portal
Download the full list of fees and exemptions for England (PDF)
Measure floor space outside not inside, if fees are based on size.
If you need more detail, read our guide. It explains things like what counts as floorspace and how to calculate fees for mixed-use developments.
Our Planning Fees and Charges Supplementary Guidance (PDF)
How to pay
Apply online and pay using the Planning Portal
If you apply by post you can pay the fee by card on our secure online payments page.
Extra costs for coastal mitigation
If your development increases people near the coast (within 7km) you might need to pay a coastal mitigation contribution. Usually when the property is first used. This only applies if the coastal mitigation service layer covers your site. Check this on a map showing our development plan policies.
Learn about about developer contributions in our Coastal Mitigation Service Strategy (PDF).
Note 3. Location plan
Show the application site in relation to the surrounding area with a location plan.
When to submit this
If you are applying for:
- householder planning permission
- full planning permission
- listed building consent
- outline planning permission
- approval of reserved matters
- consent to display an advertisement
- demolition in a conservation area
- regulation 77 application
Use either a location plan or site plan for these applications. Make sure you show the proposed development:
- lawful development certificate
- certificate of lawfulness for proposed works to a listed building
- prior approval applications
- hedgerow removal notice
Make sure it’s valid
Avoid common mistakes, see our example location plan (PDF)
What to include on a location plan:
- use a current map
- pick a 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale map, or as appropriate for larger sites
- include a North arrow
- include enough roads and buildings to clearly show where the site is
- mark all land needed for the work by drawing a red line around the site
- draw a blue line around other land you own next to or near the site
- for outline applications, show where access points will be, even if it is a reserved matter
- try to fit the plan on A4 or A3 paper
Make sure the red line reaches the public road for:
- any new development or change of use
- a new access or changes to an existing one
View a map showing public highways in Northumberland
Exceptions: You do not need the red line for lawful development certificates or most prior approvals (unless they affect telecoms or roads).
Create or buy a location plan
If you apply online use the location plan tool from the Planning Portal.
Or buy one from requestaplan.co.uk, buyaplan.co.uk
Note 4. Site plans (block plans)
Show your proposal in relation to boundaries and nearby features with a site plan. We use it to understand how your project fits with the area around it.
View our example site plans (PDF)
When to submit this
If you are applying for:
- householder planning permission
- full planning permission
- listed building consent
- removal or variation of a condition, if the site layout will change
- non-material amendment, if the site layout will change
- outline planning permission, unless layout is a reserved matter
- approval of reserved matters, if layout is applied for
- consent to display an advertisement, if more than one sign is proposed
- demolition in a conservation area.
Use either a location plan or site plan for these, showing the proposed development:
- lawful development certificate
- certificate of lawfulness for proposed works to a listed building
- prior approval applications
- hedgerow removal notice
Exceptions: We do not need a site plan if the site layout or boundary is unaffected. Or if there's no change proposed to the building footprint, door or window openings.
Make sure it’s valid
Check the following:
- provide both existing and proposed plans, label them so we can see the difference
- use a clear metric scale, typically 1:100, 1:200, or 1:500
- add a North arrow
- use a current, up to date map as your base
Show these features if they are affected by the proposal:
- parking or access
- hard surfaces
- boundaries (type, height, location)
- trees
- roads, footpaths or public rights of way
- advert locations (if more than one)
Buy a site plan
Use requestaplan.co.uk, buyaplan.co.uk
You’ll get a basic plan. Keep one copy as your existing plan. Mark your changes on a second copy to show the proposed plan. An architect can help draw these if needed.
Note 5. Design and access statement
Explain how your proposal fits the site and how people will use it.
When to submit this
If you are applying for:
- listed building consent
- householder extensions over 100 square metres in a conservation area or World Heritage Site
- full or outline planning permission for:
- one or more new dwellings within a conservation area or World Heritage Site
- 10 or more new dwellings (or a 0.5 hectare site with an unknown number of dwellings)
- 100 square metres or more of new floorspace within a conservation area or World Heritage Site (including extensions)
- 1000 square metres or more of new floorspace (including extensions)
- sites of one hectare or more (not including mining, waste, or engineering)
Exceptions: We do not need this for change of use with no development.
See if you are in a conservation area or World Heritage Site on our map.
Check our planning constraints map
What to include
Make sure you:
- keep it short and clear
- explain how your design fits the site and surroundings
- show how people can access it easily
- for new homes, explain how you’ve followed policy HOU 11 from our Local Plan
Helpful guides:
What is a Design and Access Statement? on GOV.UK
National Design Guide on GOV.UK
Note 6. Biodiversity net gain (BNG)
Leave nature better than before - that’s the goal of BNG. Developers must show they’ll improve biodiversity by at least 10%, then maintain that habitat. This is a legal requirement (unless you qualify for an exemption).
When to submit this
If you are applying for:
- full or outline planning permission
- demolition in a conservation area
- removal or variation of a condition on the above if submitted on or after:
- 12 Feb 2024 for majors
- 2 April 2024 for minors
Exemptions include:
- householder applications
- some custom or self-build proposals
- view BNG exempt developments on GOV.UK
Check if the development is exempt before applying. If it’s not, your application will be made invalid - even after validation. This will cause a delay.
Make sure it’s valid
Check the following:
- tick the right boxes on the form
- if exempt, say why
If not exempt, include a:
- completed BNG Metric Excel document
- plan showing on-site habitat before work starts
- BNG Strategy, explained separately on Note 14 of our local requirements
What to include
The BNG Metric calculates how much biodiversity your site has now, and how much better it will be after development. You can improve nature on-site or off-site. An ecologist can help with this.
Our guidance:
BNG key information for planning applications (PDF)
BNG tips and tricks to ease the process (PDF)
Govenment guidance and metric tools:
BNG metric tools and guides on GOV.UK
These metrics are macro enabled Excel files (XLSM format). The Planning Portal cannot accept this format. To prepare the tool for upload unhide all sheets via view all on the start page, save as a .xlsx file. Make sure it’s under 10MB by replacing images if needed.
Designated sites and priority habitats in Northumberland
View SSSIs, Local Wildlife Sites, and Nature Reserves on our Local Plan Policies map. Select Northumberland Local Plan Policies, Environment, then Policy ENV2.
View Habitats of Principal Importance on DEFRA Magic Map. Select habitats and species, habitats, other, then priority habitats inventory.
Note 7. Fire statement
Also called Planning Gateway One, this is about fire safety in tall residential buildings. It covers things like layout, water access, and fire service access. This applies to new buildings and development of existing buildings.
When to submit this
If you are applying for:
- full planning permission
- approval of reserved matters
- prior approval applications
But only if the building meets both of these conditions:
- it will contain 2 or more dwellings or residential educational accommodation
- is 18 metres or more high or 7 storeys or more
Exemptions: View fire statement exempt developments on GOV.UK
Make sure it’s valid
Check the following:
- use the official fire statement form
- answer all questions
- if exempt, include a short statement saying why
What to include
You must include information on the entire development. As set out on the location plan.
Fire statement guidance on GOV.UK
Fire statement template form on GOV.UK
Next check local requirements (notes 8 to 40)
Your application must meet both national and local requirements to be valid.
You've just read the national rules, but we also have extra local planning requirements.
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