Outline application with some matters reserved

Important notes

Applications for outline planning permission with some matters reserved should be submitted in accordance with the requirements in this checklist. If not, the application may be declared invalid and not determined or processing may be delayed.

If the application is submitted electronically one copy of the form and each of the drawings, plans and documentation will be required but 2 copies (1 original and 1 copy) will be required if the application is submitted in paper form.

Plans marked with "do not scale" or any similar phrase will be returned as unacceptable as for planning purposes we must be able to scale from all drawings. All plans must be marked with all dimensions.

Outline applications cannot be accepted for changes of use or for development in conservation areas. Outline applications are also unlikely to be appropriate for telecommunications proposals or for schemes that could have an impact on the setting of listed buildings or other heritage assets. In exceptional circumstances an outline application may be appropriate if the proposal is to erect a new building outside a conservation area. As much detail as possible should be provided.

The Department of Communities and Local Government's Circular 01/2006 sets out the scope of information to be submitted with an outline application. Even if layout, scale and access are reserved, an application will still require a basic level of information. As a minimum, applications should include information on proposed use(s), the amount of development proposed for each use, an indicative layout, an indication of the upper and lower limits for each building and the area where the access point(s) will be situated.

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National requirements

  • Completed application form.

  • Location plan based on an up-to-date map. This should be at an identified standard metric scale typically 1:1250 or 1:2500 but where possible should be scaled to fit onto A3 or A4 sized paper. The application site should be clearly edged with a red line and a blue line drawn around any other land owned by the applicant close to or adjoining the application site.

  • Site plan at an identified scale with a north point showing the proposed development in relation to the site boundaries, and other existing buildings on site with written dimensions including those to boundaries and the following unless these would not influence or be affected by the proposed development:

  • all the buildings, road and a footpath on land adjoining the site including access arrangements

  • all public rights of way crossing or adjoining the site

  • the position of all trees on the site and those on adjacent land

  • the extent and type of any hard surfacing and

  • boundary treatment including walls or fencing where this is proposed

  • appropriate ownership certificate and accompanying notice if required

  • agricultural land declaration

  • the correct fee

  • Design and Access Statement. Design and access statements play a particular role in linking general development principles to final detailed designs. A statement accompanying an outline application must explain how the applicant has considered the proposal, and understands what is appropriate and feasible for the site in its context. It should clearly explain and justify the design and access principles that will be used to develop future details of the scheme. Such information will help community involvement and informed decision making. The design and access statement will form a link between the outline permission and the consideration of reserved matters.

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Local requirements

Full details showing and outlining the following:

  • Use. The use or uses proposed for the development and any distinct development zones within the site identified.

  • Amount of development. The amount of development proposed for each use.

  • Indicative layout. An indicative layout with separate development zones proposed within the site boundary where appropriate.

  • Scale parameters. An indication of the upper and lower limits for height, width and length of each building within the site boundary.

  • Indicative access points. An area or areas in which the access point or points to the site will be situated.

In addition the following information may also be requested:

  • Existing and proposed elevations at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100.

  • Existing and proposed floor plans at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100.

  • Existing and proposed site sections and finished floor and site levels e.g. at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100.

  • Roof plans at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100.

  • Affordable housing statement. Required if proposal is likely to require the provision of affordable housing.

  • Ancillary structure plans such as bin store, cycle store, CHP unit.

  • Air quality assessment. Required if proposal is likely to have an adverse effect on the quality of the air.

  • Biodiversity/ecology/wildlife survey including bat and badger surveys and mitigation. Required if proposal is likely to have an impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

  • Daylight/sunlight assessment. Required if proposal is likely to have an adverse effect upon levels of light to adjoining sensitive land uses.

  • Environmental statement/environmental impact assessment (EIA). Required in circumstances set out in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations as amended (note 8).

  • Engineering works, banks and bunds and sections drawings and details.

  • Flood risk assessment/completion and demonstration of compliancy with the Environment Agency's standing advice and the National Planning Policy Framework (Section 10 Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change).

  • Green belt very special circumstances case/argument.

  • Green belt volume calculations if development is to result in an increase in the size of the development.

  • Landscaping proposals. Required if hard/ soft landscaping works are involved.

  • Parking and servicing proposals plan.

  • Retail assessment. Required to demonstrate that proposal meets the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (Section 2 Ensuring the vitality of town centres).

  • Heritage statement in accordance with the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework (Section 12 Conserving and enhancing the historic environment).

  • Contaminated land assessment/desk top study. Required if the application site is known to be or is suspected of being contaminated, further advice should be sought from the Council's Scientific Officer.

  • Lighting assessment. Required if proposal includes the installation of external lighting or will make external lighting necessary.

  • Noise impact assessment. Required if the proposal is likely to have a noise impact such as the installation of plant equipment.

  • Photographs/photomontages. At applicants discretion but will be required if the proposal is in a conservation area or affects a listed building.

  • Streetscene drawing. Required to demonstrate how the proposal relates to adjacent buildings and the street scene as a whole.

  • Planning statement. Required for all major applications (i.e. ten dwellings or more or where the floorspace to be built is 1000m or more or where the site is one hectare or more) for all other types of application, at applicants discretion.

  • Site waste management plan. Required to indicate the type and volume of materials to be demolished or excavated, to identify opportunities for reuse of materials, and to demonstrate management of disposal.

  • Statement of community involvement. Required where community involvement has been arranged prior to making an application.

  • Structural survey. Required where substantial demolition or excavation works are proposed.

  • Sustainability:
    A pre-assessment to demonstrate compliance with Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes will be required for all new residential development on greenfield land i.e. previously undeveloped land such as residential gardens.

    A pre-assessment to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM very good standards will be required for all new non-residential development of 1,000 sqm or more (gross) floor space. Applications for developments with exceptionally high total energy consumption such as large leisure facilities or date storage centres are required to demonstrate how the overall carbon emissions of the development will be reduced through the use of renewable energy measures on site.

    An appraisal to demonstrate how new residential development on previously developed land i.e. new residential development largely occupying the footprint of existing development, will met the energy and CO2 emissions and water components of Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

  • Telecommunication development. Supplementary information required in accordance with the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework (Section 5 Supporting high quality communications infrastructure).

  • TV/radio implications assessment. Required for proposals involving tall buildings.

  • Transport survey and assessment. Required if proposal is likely to have significant transport implications.

  • Travel plan. Required if proposal is likely to have significant transport implications.

  • Tree survey/arboricultural implications assessment /method statement. Required if proposal is likely to affect trees within the application site or on land adjacent to the site, including street trees.

  • Ventilation/extraction details and statement. Required to accompany all applications for the use of premises for purposes within Use Classes:

  • A3 (Restaurants and cafes)

  • A4 (Drinking establishments)

  • A5 (Hot food takeaways)

  • B1 (Business)

  • B2 (General industrial)

  • B8 (Storage and distribution)

Also required for significant retail, industrial, leisure or other similar developments where substantial ventilation or extraction equipment is proposed to be installed.

  • SPA Statement. Required for all new residential development detailing how SPA avoidance measures will be met i.e. by S106 agreement, SANG and SAMM tariff or SANG provision.

  • Archaeological desk-based assessment or, where research is insufficient to make an assessment, a field evaluation. Likely to be required if the site has archaeological interest.

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Notices to be served on land owners

For applications where ownership certificate B or C is completed (i.e. where the applicant is not the sole owner of the application site) then the appropriate notice must be served in accordance with Article 11 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010.
Notice 1 form.

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Apply online

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Printable application form

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Guidance on completing application form

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Fees