How to Make a Householder Planning Application

Householder applications
If you are proposing to carry out work at a dwelling house, or a flat, we have a simplified Householder Planning Application Form. Please note that planning applications for a new dwelling (even if it is to replace an existing one), for change of use from a non-residential property to a dwelling, or to incorporate adjoining land within the site of an existing dwelling cannot be treated as householder applications.

Please fill in four copies, and return them to us with four copies of drawings (see section on Plans and Drawings below) and the fee.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Description of proposal
You should describe your proposal in terms of what planning permission is being sought for.

In the case of householder applications the wording might be: 'construction of two-storey side extension'; 'construction of conservatory'; 'erection of 2m high fence'.

Please remember that we will need to publicise your application and that consultees and the public will need to be able to have a clear idea of what you are proposing.

We will check that your description is appropriate for what you are proposing. When we register your application we may change the description so that it reflects more accurately what you are proposing. If we do this we will tell you when we acknowledge receipt of your application.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Plans and drawings

Measurements
All measurements must be in metric units. Please use metres and millimetres, and square metres or hectares.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Numbering of plans
Please make sure that all your plans, except the site location plan, are numbered. We need this to be done because the decision will refer to specific plans. If any of your drawings are revised after they are submitted but before the decision is made, please make sure that each revised drawing is dated and given a suffix letter, A, B, C etc.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Trees and landscaping
Any trees on your development site must be shown on the site layout plan. Details should be given of species and canopy spread of each tree. You should indicate which trees are to be retained, felled or lopped. You should indicate how any retained trees are to be protected during construction work.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Certificates
On the application form you will need to certify if you own the entire application site. If you do not own the entire site, you must serve notice on all other owners and then certify to us that you have done so. We have a blank notice that you can complete and use for this purpose. You also need to certify on the application form whether or not the application site is an agricultural holding.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Fees
There is a flat rate fee of £135 for extensions or alterations to a dwelling house or flat.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Additional information
If you wish, you can provide us with additional information in a covering letter or separate report to help us understand your proposal. If you do this, the additional information will become part of your application and it will be available for inspection by the public.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Validating and registering planning applications
When we receive your application we will check that it is valid. We will check that the description is correct, that all the necessary plans and drawings as described above are provided, that you have signed the form and the certificates and that you have provided the correct fee. If you follow the advice provided on these pages we are more likely to be able to validate your application.

If we cannot validate your application we will write to you and tell you why within three working days of receipt.

Once we have validated your application we will write to you and acknowledge receipt. We will do this within three days of receipt of a valid application. Your application will be valid from the date from the date we received it, or in the case of applications that were not valid when received, from the date that we received the information to make it valid.

Making Householder Planning Applications Index

Supplementary Planning Guidance
Three of our Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes (SPG) deal with householder developments-dormer window extensions, conservatories and householder extensions. These provide further guidance on our development control criteria relating to specific types of development. If your proposal relates to these forms of development, you are advised to consult the relevant note when drawing up your proposal.

Next: How We Process a Planning Application