Validation

When planning applications are received, we check to see that we have all the information we need to make the decision on an application and that the plans, certificates and fee are correct. This process is referred to as the validation of the application. 

Validation guidance document

Please see our validation guidance document for detailed guidance on what information you will need to include when submitting a planning application. 

Common reasons why applications are invalid

We understand that omissions can occur. Regrettably, this does add delays to the application process.  

The most common reasons are:  

• no location plan submitted or missing North point, missing licence and copyright information or red line not extending to an adopted road  
• no block plan submitted  
• incorrect fee or no fee submitted  
• certificate A/B/C/D and merged Agricultural Holdings within the application form not signed 
• no existing elevation/floor plans submitted  
• Design and Access Statement missing  
• incorrect completion of Biodiversity Net Gain requirements  
• lack of ecological information  
• lack of tree details or survey 

If further information or a fee is required  

We will aim to notify you within 5 working days of additional information needed to validate your application. 

We will specify what needs to be provided and give a timescale for the submission of the missing information or fee.  

If this is not submitted within the given timescale, the application will be returned to you and any fee paid returned minus an administration charge.  

Further details can be found on our invalid applications page.  

The fact that an application has been validated does not mean that the quality of the plans/documents have been fully assessed.  

We reserve the right to:  

• seek further information with regard to the submitted plans/documents  
• seek information on material planning issues that have not been addressed in the application  

These aspects will need to be satisfied before any decision is made on the application.  

If further information is required after the validation stage, you will be contacted by the case officer.  

We therefore ask you to carefully consider the constraints of a site before submitting your application. Especially as some of the additional information can take time to put together and survey work may need to be carried out at a particular time of year, for example during the nesting season.  

To understand the planning application process further, information is available on our planning policy and guidance webpages.

If a permission is granted, conditions could be imposed requiring the submission of further information before the works can begin.  

These types of applications are called Discharge of Condition and require a fee. However, this can be avoided by submitting all relevant information at planning application stage.  

Common areas where information can be provided beforehand, to prevent conditions having to be applied, include:  

• materials – for example, supplier and make of bricks/tiles  
• boundary treatments  
• hard landscaping – particularly showing permeable surfaces  
• parking and turning layouts to satisfy highway requirements  
• tree protection details  
• soft landscaping  
• drainage schemes  
• energy and sustainability details  
• external lighting details  
• contamination surveys  
• Construction Environment Management Plans (CEMP)