Validation requirements for making planning applications
The law relating to planning applications changed in August 2006
affecting the way that planning and listed building applications
are made. Applications have to be properly made out in accordance
with the legislation if they are to be registered by the local
planning authority.
In brief the main changes are:
- Outline planning applications must be submitted on forms which
use the new terminology for the various 'reserved matters'. The
minimum amount of information required with outline applications is
significantly increased – see paragraph 52 of
DCLG Circular 01/2006 (new window PDF
553KB).
- Outline and full planning applications must be accompanied by a
design and access statement in the prescribed form, unless the
application is for engineering works, alterations or extensions to
a dwelling house that is outside a conservation area or other
designated area or a material change of use.
- Listed building consent applications must be accompanied by a
design and access statement.
The law lays down specific requirements for the content of
design and access statements - see section 3 of the
DCLG Circular 01/2006 (new window PDF
553KB) for more information. Applications that do not
fully comply with these legal requirements are not valid and
therefore cannot be registered.
A practical
guide to design and access statements (new
window) is available for download from the Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) website.
In April 2008, the Government introduced new validation
requirements to accompany the new
National Standard Planning Application (1APP)
forms. Before making a planning application you should use
our validation checklists to check your submission
includes all the information necessary for the application to be
validated.
How to apply
Planning applications have to be made on the new National
Standard Planning Application (1APP) forms. 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.
The 1APP forms have been primarily designed for electronic
applications and are available online for making applications to
Suffolk Coastal via the Planning Portal.
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.
If you wish to make a paper application you can download or
print off the 1APP forms you need by following the link below. The
forms are also available for collection in person from the
Council's offices or by post on request.
The new forms are accompanied by guidance notes to help you
provide the correct information and appropriate plans with your
application. If you need any help please contact us.
Follow this link if you would like
to buy location and site plans (new window),
either as paper copies that are posted to you or in a choice of
file formats which can be emailed to you.
Planning application fees
Every application must be accompanied by the correct fee. The
Government sets the planning application fees that apply across the
country. The fee for a domestic extension planning application will
normally be £150. There is no fee for a listed building
consent.
Larger scale applications attract higher fees, reflecting the
additional work involved, the maximum fee for a major development
of houses is £250,000.
Follow this link to see a list
of planning application fees (new window PDF
47KB).
How long does it take?
Suffolk Coastal aims to determine the majority of
straightforward applications within eight weeks and the majority of
more complicated applications within 13 weeks. You can contact us
to find out how long to expect the planning application
process to take (our contact details are at the bottom of
this page). You can also
monitor the progress of your application online (new
window).
How applications are processed
Planning applications will be judged against
Local Plan and
Structure Plan policy,
Supplementary Planning Guidance, Government
advice and on their development control merits. A domestic
extension, for example, will be judged having regard to
the policies mentioned above and on its impact in the
street scene, its design and any effect upon neighbouring
residential amenity such as overlooking, overshadowing or an
overbearing impact. Listed building consent will be judged on
the impact the proposal may have upon the character of the
listed building.
The majority of applications are determined by the
Head of
Planning Services under delegated powers set out in the
Scheme of Delegation (new window PDF 54KB).
The final decision on an application will be sent to applicants
promptly together with any conditions attached to the permission
or reasons for its refusal. If permission is refused, the
applicant’s right of appeal against this decision will be
explained.
Development Control Sub-Committees
Aroun 15% of planning
applications are determined by the two area Development
Control Sub-Committees. Applications are normally reported to
the sub-committees if there are local objections or representations
made by the ward councillor.
Follow this link
for details of the
applications being considered at the next
Development Control Sub-Commitee meetings. If you wish to object
to, or support an application, you may speak at the Development
Control Sub-Committee meeting considering the application. To find
out more please read our leaflet
Having your say on planning applications (new
window PDF 43KB) which describes the procedure in
detail.
Informal advice and getting in touch
Informal advice about whether planning permission is required,
or the likelihood of obtaining planning permission, can be obtained
by telephone, letter, email or by calling at the
Planning Helpdesk in reception at
our Woodbridge offices where a duty officer is
available every weekday, including basic lunchtime cover.
To contact the Planning Helpdesk call
01394 444403 / 444423 / 444428 or email
d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Our fax number is 01394 385100.
If you require an informal opinion as to whether a proposal is
likely to be acceptable you may wish to forward a letter, sketch
plans and photographs of the site and its context for consideration
to the Head of Planning Services at the address below:
Head of Planning Services,
Suffolk Coastal District Council,
Melton Hill,
Woodbridge,
Suffolk IP12 1AU.
What you can expect from us
We aim to reply to written enquiries within 28 days. Some
enquiries may be dealt with more quickly if they are
straightforward although some may take a little longer if, for
example, additional research, consultation or a site visit is
required. Follow this link
to find out about the service you can expect
when we deal with planning applications and the standards we work
to.
We would also welcome any comments about the way we provide our
planning service and any suggestions on how we can further improve
our service. You can email your comments to
d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
or write to the Head of Planning Services at the address above.
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF
files.