Making a planning application - important changes

On 6 April 2008 the National Standard Planning Application (1APP) forms replaced all existing types of planning application forms (except minerals) in England.

Applications submitted on the old-style application forms are no longer accepted by local planning authorities.

Making an online application

The 1APP forms have been primarily designed for electronic applications and are available online for making applications to Suffolk Coastal via the Planning Portal.

• Make online planning applications via the Planning Portal (new window).

To make an online application, you need to register with the Planning Portal, once logged on, you will be asked a series of questions to help determine which application form to complete. A form specific to the proposal is generated once this procedure is completed.

The 1APP forms cover the full range of application types including householder, planning permission, listed building consent, conservation area consent, tree applications (including tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas) and advertisement consent. Along with the electronic planning application form, supporting plans and documents can also be submitted electronically as part of the online application process.

Making a paper application

If you wish to make a paper application you can download or print off the new 1APP forms by following the link below. The forms are also available for collection in person from the Council's offices or by post on request.

• Download or print off 1APP paper application forms.

To accompany the new 1APP forms, the Government has introduced new validation requirements. Before making a planning application, by whatever means, you will need to check your submission includes all the information necessary for the application to be validated.

To help you we have produced guidance and validation checklists for each type of application which should be studied before submission. The validation checklists include mandatory national requirements and additional local requirements. You can view the guide and checklists by following the link below:

• Guide to the validation of planning applications and validation checklists (new window PDF 413KB).

Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.

The objectives of these checklists are to:

• Ensure applicants can be certain of information required to validate an application.
• Help applicants submit all the required documentation with their application.
• Reduce the number of invalid applications received.
• Reduce the need to place applications on hold awaiting more details.
• To provide a quicker and more efficient planning service.