How to prepare a valid planning application
Forms
Below are the forms you will need to complete and submit with your application. They are required for all applications.
This page includes third-party documents and documents published before 23 September 2018. Some of these documents may not be accessible. For more information, or to request an accessible version of any document, contact [email protected].
This is a form setting out your development proposal and contact information, and is needed for all applications in order to process and record your application.
This is needed for all applications.
Why you need to complete an application form
It is needed in order to process and record your application.
Guidance and next steps
Do:
- complete, sign, and date the form
- use Planning Portal or download a copy from the Planning Portal of the correct form
Best practice example:
- application form - best practice examples (PDF, 4.4 MB)
How to prepare an application form
You can either complete your application form online through the Planning Portal or by downloading a copy from the Planning Portal.
| Part of application form | What this means | What do you need to submit/attach? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Site address | The address of the property you are looking to submit an application form | Not applicable |
| 2. Applicant details | Your contact details | Not applicable |
| 3. Agent details | Your agent's contact details (if you're using an agent) | Not applicable |
| 4. Description of proposed works | A description of the work you are applying for | Be specific on what is happening, not just where |
| 5. Materials | Details of the materials you will be using in your proposal | Specify existing materials as well as proposed materials. Make sure to include details of the plans you will be submitting. We recommend including both existing and proposed plans and elevations of work you are applying for, these should all be named and numbered and include scale bars |
| 6. Trees and hedges | Details of any trees on site as well as those within falling distance of your proposed development | You can mark their position on a scaled plan, make sure to include the plan reference number |
| 7. Pedestrian and vehicle access, roads and rights of way | Details of any new or altered pedestrian and vehicle access points. | Not applicable |
| 8. Parking | Details of whether the proposed development affects existing parking arrangements. | Not applicable |
| 9. Site visit | Details on whether the site is visible from the outside of your property. | If your proposal is in an area that is not visible from public land, the officer doing the site visit will contact you to arrange an appointment |
| 10. Pre-application advice | Have you used the council's planning advice service? | If yes, include the reference number and the name(s) of any planning officers you have been in contact with |
| 11. Authority employee/member | Declaration of whether you are a member of staff, an elected member, related to a member of staff, or related to an elected member of the council | Not applicable |
| 12. Ownership certificates and agricultural land declaration | Confirmation as to whether you are the owner of the property - fill in the appropriate certificate | Details on which certificate you should complete are in the Ownership Certificate section |
| 13. Declaration | Confirmation that you have submitted all necessary documents, and entered correct information | Ask yourself:- Are my contact / address details correct? -- Have I described the work I want to do?- Have I submitted a location plan? Have I submitted the existing and proposed plans? (Floor plans/elevations/roof)- Do my plans have scale bars?- Have I completed a Design and Access statement?- Are there any other documents I need to submit? (make sure to check all sections of this webpage) |
This is a certificate stating the ownership status of an application site.
It is needed for all applications.
Why you need an ownership certificate
It is needed to confirm whether the landowner(s), leaseholder owner(s), or anyone with a mineral interest is making the application, or whether the landowner is aware of the application being made.
Legislation:
Read The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) 2015 (as amended) on Legislation.gov.uk.
Guidance and next steps (ownership certificate)
Do:
- complete only one certificate (A, B, C, or D)
Which ownership certificate should be signed?
- Certificate A - Sole ownership and no agricultural tenants
- Certificate B - EITHER not the owner but know who is OR you are not the sole owner but you know who the other owners / agricultural tenants are
- Certificate C - EITHER not the owner but you know some of the other owners or agricultural tenants OR you are an owner but only know some of the other owners or agricultural tenants
- Certificate D - EITHER not the owner and do not know the owner(s) OR you are an owner but do not know any other owner(s) or agricultural tenant(s).
Owners
An 'owner' is anyone with a freehold interest, or leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than 7 years. In the case of minerals development, a person entitled to an interest in a mineral in the land is also an owner. In the case of highways development, the highway authority are considered an owner.
Agricultural tenants
An 'agricultural tenant' is a tenant of an agricultural holding, any part of which is comprised in the land to which the application resides.
Best practice examples
Fees are set by government and must be paid for certain application types.
This is needed for all applications.
Why you need to pay a fee
The requirement for planning fees are set out by law.
Read the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012 on Legislation.gov.uk.
Guidance and next steps (fee payment)
Do:
- make sure you've paid the correct fee. Check the planning fee calculator on the Planning Portal if you are unsure of the required fee
- pay your fee using the correct payment service (see below)
How to pay your planning fees
If you are submitting your application via the Planning Portal you can pay your fees using the Planning Portal's online service.
If you are applying directly to your local area, you must pay using the relevant payment service below.
- Aylesbury Vale online payment service
- Chiltern and South Bucks online payment service
- Wycombe online payment service
For applications for Minerals and Waste development email the Minerals and Waste team.
This is an assessment of whether an application may be liable to pay CIL or not.
This is needed for all applications (Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe areas only).
Why you need a CIL additional questions form
This is needed to make sure CIL will be paid when required.
Guidance and next steps (CIL additional questions form)
To prepare further guidance see the Planning Portal for information on what forms to submit and see the information on the Community Infrastructure Levy page.
Do:
- make sure you've submitted the correct form
- make sure all information on the form is accurate
- make sure you're aware payment is made within 60 days of commencement of development (in full or in instalments)
See the CIL page for full fee information.
This is a checklist identifying potential risk to ecology and trees on your development.
This is needed for all applications.
Why you need a checklist
This is a local requirement and is needed to ensure no protected habitats, wildlife, or trees are impacted by your development proposal.
Guidance and next steps (checklist)
Read our ecology and trees checklist (DOCX, 40 KB) for further guidance.
Do:
- accurately and completely fill the checklist (above)
If you are unsure whether any trees or ecology will be affected by your proposals seek planning advice.