You can submit planning applications through the planning portal. You will be asked a number of questions that will determine the correct form for you to submit and the documents and information you will need to submit to support your application.  

You can pay for planning applications here. All the information on costs and fees for making a planning application can be found on the planning portal.

Upon receipt of an application, it is registered and a validation process starts to ensure all information is present and completed before being assigned to a planning officer.

The validation process is explained in the stages of a planning application.

Information on ownership certificates can be found here.

Invalid applications

In the event of an invalid application, applicants or the planning agent acting on behalf of applicants will be informed in writing of the information required to validate their application.

Since December 2017 if a registered application remains invalid for a period of 28 days or greater, the council will retain a portion of the application fee to cover the administrative costs incurred. Every attempt will be made to contact the applicant or agent to ensure validation can be completed within the 28 day period before any charge is applied. For householder, advertisement and prior notification applications the fee will be £26. For minor and similar applications the fee will be £51.50 and for major and similar complex applications the fee will be £256.50. For circumstances outside of the applicants control it may be possible to extend the validation period but this will require prior consultation with the planning department

Application forms

Application forms can be completed online at the Planning Portal. Some forms are not available through the online system but can be found using the Planning Portal’s paper form chooser. 

Ownership certificates

When preparing to submit a planning application you must complete an ownership certificate showing details of site ownership. An owner is a person having a freehold or leasehold interest with an unexpired term not less than seven years. There can be more than one owner, for example the landlord and any tenants. The certificate is proof that an applicant has told, or is, the owner. Not following the proper process can result in an invalid planning permission.

Types of certificate

An applicant must complete one of these certificates:

• certificate A needs to be completed when an applicant is the owner of all land within the boundaries of the application site. If the application is being made in the name of two people, certificate A is still valid as long as no-one other those two people own the land
• certificate B needs to be completed when an applicant knows the names and addresses of all other landowners
• certificate C needs to be completed when an applicant knows the names and addresses of some, but not all, of the landowners
• certificate D needs to be completed when an applicant does not know the names and addresses of any landowners

For certificates B and C an applicant must serve written notice on the owner(s) to tell them an application is being made. Verbal notification is not sufficient.

For certificates C and D an applicant must advertise in the local press that they are making an application and do not know the owner(s) of some, or all, of the land. A copy of the published notice needs to be included with the application.

If an applicant has to serve notice on an organisation they should address it to the secretary or clerk of the organisation at their registered or principal office.

Avoiding problems

To avoid problems, we recommend that you look into land ownership and get land registry records to support your application.

Implications of incorrect certificate

Permission is not legal when the correct certificate has not been served, or when incorrect information is given.

If a certificate is inaccurate a correct certificate will need to be signed and/or served before the application is decided. We will not make a decision on an application until a correct certificate has been received.

Legal position

References:

• article 14 of the town and country planning (development management) procedure order 2015
• section 65(5) of the town and country planning act 1990

More detailed advice on ownership certificates

• Ownership Certificates Guidance
• Alternatively information can be found here.