Forms and checklists used to apply for different types of planning permission.
The most efficient way to submit new applications is electronically via the Planning Portal.
Electronic applications are easier to submit, validate and review, especially where people are working in a hybrid way.
Where forms are not available to submit online, you can download the forms and submit them electronically.
Where required, some site notices are sent to applicants to put up (with instructions). Relevant applications are also advertised every Friday in ‘The Argus’ newspaper.
Changes to land use and buildings can affect wildlife. Some wildlife species are protected by law. We have a legal duty to consider how development affects them when assessing your planning application.
To enable us to do that, and to help you plan your project to protect our natural environment, you must submit a biodiversity checklist with your householder planning application and with full applications that pay the householder fee. A biodiversity checklist must also be submitted with certain other types of development as set out in Annex 5 of our Biodiversity and Nature Conservation SPD.
City Plan Part 2 policy DM37 Green Infrastructure and Nature Conservation requires development to achieve measurable biodiversity net gain (BNG).
Under the Environment Act 2021 almost all major planning permissions granted in England have had to deliver at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) since 12 February 2024.
From 2 April 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain will now be also required for small sites and minor planning applications. That is schemes providing less than 10 dwellings on a site smaller than 0.5 hectares or, for non-residential schemes, where:
BNG does not apply to:
Other exemptions apply also. Find full details of exempt developments.
More details on how we are implementing BNG can be found in our Technical Advice Note.
A hard copy of all plans and documents is no longer required for all major applications.
Find full details regarding major applications. For further clarification contact the planning department.
Read the following checklists:
Please ensure you go through the checklist before sending your application - most delays are caused by simple mistakes.
To calculate your planning fee use:
Notice 1 - to be served on owners of the land when completing Certificate of Ownership - Certificate B or C.
Where the application relates to proposals in/on a development including flats, this notice must be served by the applicant (or their agent) on all freeholders and leaseholders (unless a leaseholder has an unexpired term of less than 7 years.)
Notice 2 - to be published in a newspaper when completing Certificate of Ownership - Certificate C or D.
The checklists of information requirements were adopted on 1 March 2008 following a full consultation and have been reviewed and republished several times since.
The latest update was undertaken on 18 February 2022 to incorporate the statutory requirements for Planning Gateway One, which came into effect by statute on 1 August 2021.