Planning Permission and Applications

How to Make a Planning Application

Plans and drawings
We will need three copies of the following plans or drawings.

For all applications

  • A site location plan.

This should be an extract from the up-to-date Ordnance Survey plan at a scale of 1:1250 (or 1:2500 on large sites in rural areas).

You should mark the application site boundary with a red line. This is usually the boundary of the site that you own or control. It must include all the land that is necessary to carry out the proposed development, including land required for access from the public highway, car parking, land for landscaping and any garden or other open areas around buildings. The boundary of any adjoining land that you own or control but do not require for the proposed development should be marked with a blue line.

We need this plan so we can accurately and precisely identify the land to which the application relates. It needs to be up to date so that it shows existing buildings. We have found that the only satisfactory way of doing this is to ask for a copy of the Ordnance Survey plan on which you can mark your site boundary. A planning permission is a legal document and it is important that the site boundaries are shown accurately. We are required by law to keep a register of planning permissions and pending applications. This register is the subject of local land searches. It is therefore to your benefit that the boundary of your application is accurately recorded. Our agreement with the Ordnance Survey allows us to provide applicants with a suitable extract. We make a charge for this. You can also buy an extract from one of the OS's Superplan agents. The local agent is Traveller Ltd., 55 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6EF. Telephone: 0191 261 5622. Email: info@newtraveller.com

Making a Planning Application Index

For development or redevelopment of sites

  • Existing and proposed site layout plans (also known as block plans).

These plans will show the application site in its context and include surrounding properties and their boundaries. This is necessary so that we can assess the physical relationship of a proposed building to its neighbours. These plans will usually be at a scale of 1:200 so that a plan on an A1 sheet can satisfactorily show a site of up to 0.5ha together with its surrounding context. For larger sites, you should show sections of the site on separate A1 sheets. Our experience is that layout plans at a scale of 1:500 do not provide sufficient space to show adequate detail. A1 sheets are more manageable than A0 sheets. If there are existing buildings or other features on the site that are to be demolished or retained, these should be shown on the layout plan. Details of existing and proposed means of access from the public highway or footpath should be shown. The position of any trees that might be affected or have an effect on the development should be shown. The north point should be shown. The scale of existing and proposed drawings should be the same to enable to comparisons to be made.

  • Existing and proposed site sections and levels plans.

These plans will show the proposed development, at the same scale as the site layout plan, to enable comparison to be made. The number of cross sections required will need to be appropriate to the size and character of the site. Consequently, larger sites and sloping sites with a number of changes in level will need more cross section plans than small, level and less complex sites. Where site levels will be changed by the development both existing and finished levels must be shown. Unless the site is small (usually less than 500m2), level and without any particular features, your layout, section and levels plans should be based on a professionally prepared site survey in order to guarantee accuracy. A copy of the site survey plan should be submitted.

  • Detailed floor plan and elevation drawings of the proposed development.

These will be at a scale of no less than 1:100. Some details, for example main access doors, must be illustrated at a larger scale such as 1:20. Elevation drawings must show adjoining properties so that the impact of the new development can be assessed.

Making a Planning Application Index

For alterations and extensions to existing buildings (householder and business)

  • Detailed floor plan and elevation drawings of the existing and proposed situation.

These will be at a scale of no less than 1:100. The boundaries of the property should be shown. These plans must also show adjoining properties so that we can make an assessment of the impact of a proposal on its neighbours. The north point should be shown.

The scale of existing and proposed drawings should be the same to enable to comparisons to be made. The existing and proposed drawings can be on separate sheets. If they are on the same sheet, the existing and proposed drawings should be arranged so as to allow for easy comparison. The proposed work should be clearly marked.

If there is a significant change in level across the site appropriate details (e.g. a site section drawing) should be provided. This is often an important issue where it is proposed to build an extension on a boundary.

Making a Planning Application Index

For works within an existing developed site (e.g. fences, garages, outbuildings, industrial plant)

  • Detailed plan and elevation drawings of the proposal.

These will be at a scale that is appropriate to what is proposed. For example, detail of a fence should be at a scale of 1:20, or a garage should be at no less than 1:100. Sufficient detail must be given to show where the proposed work is located within the site. For a householder application, a layout plan of the site at a scale of 1:100 will usually be adequate. For large industrial or commercial sites a smaller scale may be appropriate.

Making a Planning Application Index

For change of use applications

  • Additional drawings

In addition to the site location plan you may need to submit additional drawings to help you to explain your proposals to us. These should be detailed floor plans of the existing and proposed situation at a scale of no less than 1:100. Where you are seeking planning permission to change the use of part of an existing floor of a building, you must submit a floor plan so that we know the part of the building to which your application relates, and how it relates to the rest of the building and its uses.

Making a Planning Application Index

For outline applications

  • Additional drawings

In addition to the site location plan, if you are seeking approval for some reserved matters as part of your outline application, then you will need to submit appropriate plans (e.g. layout, section and levels) as described above. If you submit illustrative or indicative plans with an outline application, please make sure that all plans are clearly marked so as to describe their status.

Making a Planning Application Index



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