Householder full application

When is it required?

Always required (part of application form)

What is required?

The relevant certificate must be completed, signed and dated (part of application form). Only one certificate should be completed.

• Certificate A should be completed if the applicant is the sole owner of the land to which the application relates or holds an unexpired lease with a term of 7 or more years remaining.
• Certificate B should be completed if the applicant is not the sole owner but knows the names and addresses of all the other owners.
  The Notice to Owners (Notice 1) must also be completed and sent to all known owners. A copy of the notice must be sent with the application to the local authority.
• Certificate C should be completed if the applicant does not own all of the land to which the application relates and does not know the name and address of all of the owners. The Notice to Owners (Notice 1) must be completed and sent to all known owners. Where the owner is unknown the Notice to Unknown Owners (Notice 2) needs to be published in a local newspaper. A copy of the notice must be sent with the application to the local authority.
• Certificate D should be completed if the applicant does not own all of the land to which the application relates and does not know the names and addresses of the owners. The Notice to Unknown Owners (Notice 2) needs to be published in a local newspaper. A copy of the notice must be sent with the application to the local authority.

When is it required?

This is always required, unless covered by an exemption. Common exemptions:

• alterations, extensions etc. to a dwelling house for the benefit of a registered disabled person (please provide evidence from the DWP that the applicant is registered as being disabled);
• is the first revision of an application for development of the same character or description on the same site by the same applicant within 12 months of making the earlier application if withdrawn or the date of decision if granted or refused and NOT a duplicate application made by the same applicant within 28 days.

What is required?

Current national fees can be found on the Planning Portal. Guidance: GOV.UK: Fees for planning applications

To support you please use the Planning Portal fee calculator.

What is required?

This must be an up-to-date Ordnance Survey-based location plan at an appropriate scale, usually 1:1250 or 1:2500. In the case of large sites other scales may be appropriate.

The plan must show:

• At least two named roads and all surrounding buildings or land (unless this would require a plan greater than a scale of 1:2500)
• The application site (the whole planning unit)
• A north point
• The scale clearly identified

The plan used should:

• Show OS Crown copyright
• Not to be copied from existing OS mapping, if using hand drawn maps such as standard streets
• Show the correct licence number if you wish to print or copy maps for applications

The application site boundary must be edged clearly with a red line. It should include all land necessary to carry out the proposed development - for example, land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscape, car parking and open areas around the building. A blue line should be drawn around any other land owned by the applicant, close to or adjoining the application site.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

May be required where:

• where the proposed development involves the demolition of any exiting structures
• where there are trees on site that may be impacted by the proposed development.

What is required?

Existing site layout plans to a recognised scale (1:100, 1:200 or 1:500 as appropriate)The Site Layout Plan should show:

• the direction of North;
• a scale bar or metric measurements;

In addition, the Site Layout Plan should show the following unless these would not influence or be affected by the proposed development:

• all the buildings, roads and footpaths on land adjoining the site including access arrangements;
• all public rights of way crossing or adjoining the site (footpath, bridleway, restricted byway or byway open to all traffic); the position of all trees on the site, and those on adjacent land;
• the extent and type of any hard surfacing;
• boundary treatment including walls or fencing;
• existing car parking and turning arrangements.
• any existing bin and cycle stores.

Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Always required

What is required?

Proposed site layout plans to a recognised scale (1:100, 1:200 or 1:500 as appropriate)The Site Layout Plan should show:

• The direction of North;
• a scale bar or metric measurements;

In addition, the Site Layout Plan should show the following unless these would not influence or be affected by the proposed development:

• all the buildings, roads and footpaths on land adjoining the site including access arrangements;
• all public rights of way crossing or adjoining the site (footpath, bridleway, restricted byway or byway open to all traffic); the position of all trees on the site, and those on adjacent land;
• the extent and type of any hard surfacing;
• boundary treatment including walls or fencing;
• existing car parking and turning arrangements.
• any existing bin and cycle stores.

Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

May be required where:

• a site or site and surrounding land are at variable levels
• the proposal involves a roof extension or installation of roof-lights or windows.

What is required?

Section drawings to show how proposals relate to existing ground levels or where ground levels outside the extension would be modified. Levels should also be taken into account in the formulation of design and access statements. The drawings should be drawn to an identified scale or show metric measurements. Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Always required

What is required?

Drawings showing the full existing floor layout plans to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included. 

Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.

Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Always required

What is required?

• Drawings showing the full proposed floor layout plans to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
• Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.
• Where applications involve the installation of mechanical and electrical building services plant/equipment such as flues, air handling units/air conditioning, extraction, air source heat pumps, combustion appliances etc. the position of these should be indicated.

Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Always required

What is required?

• Detailed drawings showing the existing elevations (the appearance of the property from all sides affected by the proposal) to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
• Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.

Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Always required

What is required?

• Detailed drawings showing the proposed elevations (showing the proposal against existing building from all sides) to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
• Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.

Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Required only for complex roof structures.

What is required?

• The roof plan should show the shape of the roof at an appropriate scale, usually 1:50 or 1:100 and with a correct overall dimensions in metric measurements included.
• Details such as the material, vents and their location should be shown.
• Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

Interpretation and Guidance notes

Roof lights should be indicated on floor plan.

When is it required?

• Major development (defined as development of 10 or more dwellings (or 0.5 hectares for residential development where the number of dwellings is unknown) for the creation of more than a 1,000 square metres of floor space and where the site is greater than 1 hectare).
• Development in a designated area (World Heritage Site or conservation area) where the proposed development consists of either one or more dwellings or a building or buildings with floor space of 100 square metres or more.
• Applications for listed building consent.

What is required?

A design and access statement should:

• Explain the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development
• Demonstrate the steps that have been taken to appraise the context of the development and how the design of the development takes that context into account in relation to the proposal
• Explain the policy adopted as to access and how policies relating to access in relevant development plan documents (DPDs) have been taken into account
• State what, if any, consultation has been undertaken on issues relating to access to the development and what account has been taken of the outcome of any such consultation
• Explain how specific issues which might affect access to the development have been addressed.

Statements accompanying applications for Listed Building Consent should, in addition to the above, show how they have taken account of:

• The special architectural or historic importance of the building
• The particular physical features of the building that justify its designation as a listed building
• The building's setting.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

A site specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required the site is:

• In flood zone 2 or 3 including minor development and change of use
• More than 1 hectare in flood zone 1
• Less than 1 hectare in flood zone 1, including a change of use in development type to a more vulnerable class (for example from commercial to residential), where they could be affected by other sources of flooding such as surface water.

What is required?

If a development is proposed in an area of flood risk (either fluvial or surface water), a site specific FRA should be undertaken. This should:

• Include evidence that the Sequential Test and where necessary the Exception Test have been applied in the selection of the site for the development type. 
• Take into account different types of flooding: for example, fluvial, surface water and groundwater.
• Consider the risk of flooding arising from the proposed development as well as to the development site.
• Take into account the effect of climate change.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

When is it required?

Development affecting a heritage asset. Heritage assets are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes which are significant because of their historic interest.

Designated heritage assets include:

• World Heritage Site
• Scheduled Monument
• Listed Building
• Registered Park and Garden
• Conservation Area

For new development, consideration should be given to the potential of archaeological assets.

What is required?

The level of information or investigation required to support a proposal that could impact on a heritage asset needs to be proportionate to the significance of the heritage asset and the potential impact of the works proposed. Pre-application meetings are strongly recommended.

As a minimum, statements will be required to identify heritage assets and demonstrate how proposals have preserved or enhanced their significance.

Source, policies and references

Local validation requirement

• SCLP Policies NH/14 & NH/15
• NPPF Chapter 16
• NPPG - Conserving and enhancing the historic environment Listed Buildings SPD
• Listed building descriptions
• Conservation Area appraisals
• Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record

When is it required?

Noise / Vibration Generation

Where a proposed new development would generate noise or vibration including delivery and servicing and vehicle movements / traffic changes on local roads which may have an adverse impact on existing or planned uses (in particular noise sensitive uses such as residential, hospitals, nursing homes, schools etc.).

Applications which involve the installation of mechanical and electrical building services plant / equipment such as flues, air handling units / air conditioning, extraction, air source heat pumps, combustion appliances etc.

New Noise Sensitive Premises

Proposals for residential and other noise sensitive development close to existing sources of noise such as transport (road, rail and air) and industrial, commercial or business premises.

Where the operation of an existing / established business or community facility generating noise could have an unacceptable significant adverse effect on proposed new development (including changes of use) in its vicinity such as the introduction of new noise sensitive premises into an area e.g. residential ('agent of change principle').

What is required?

Where necessary an acoustic (noise and vibration) assessment will be undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent acoustician / person, in accordance with the latest industry and/or Government best practice guidance and relevant British Standards publications.

The assessment shall detail the existing noise environment, the potential noise sources / activities associated with the development and /or the noise sources likely to affect any noise sensitive development. Details of the number of deliveries and the times when deliveries and servicing takes place.

The duration, scope / remit and content of the assessment or supporting information should be discussed and agreed in advance with the local planning authority before it is commissioned, but in any event must comply with relevant and up-to-date UK guidance and standards.

Source, policies and references

Local validation requirement

• SCLP Policy SC/10
• NPPF paragraphs 174, 185 & 187
• NPPG - Noise
• Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE, March 2010)
• BS 4142:2014 +A1:2019-
• Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound
• BS 8233: 2014 - Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings
• Planning & Noise; Professional Practice Guidance on Planning & Noise - New Residential Development, May 2017 with supplementary documents 1 - PLANNING & NOISE POLICY AND GUIDANCE and 2 - GOOD ACOUSTIC DESIGN.
• IEMA Guidelines for Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, 2014
• World Health Organisation (WHO) 'Guidelines for Community Noise', 1999
• World Health Organisation (WHO) 'Night noise guidelines for Europe', 2009
• World Health Organisation (WHO) 'Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region' 2018
• Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) Acoustics - Planning Implication, New Guidance for 2015, Sport England Design Guidance Note

Interpretation and guidance notes

Not normally required but may be for heat pumps etc

When is it required?

All scales of development

What is required?

A sustainability statement and checklist should outline the approach to:

• Climate Change mitigation, including carbon reduction
• Water management
• Site waste management
• Use of materials
• Other issues including biodiversity and ecology; land, water, noise and air pollution; transport, mobility and access; health and wellbeing; and culture, heritage and the quality of built form, including the efficient use of land.

The statement should be integrated within the Design and Access statement so that it is clear that sustainable design and construction has been integrated into the overall design.

Source, policies and references

Local validation requirement. 

• SCLP policy CC/1
• Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD 2020, particularly Appendix 1

When is it required?

Sites carrying out demolition, building or engineering operations (including the excavation of foundations, any changes in level and service/utility runs) where these may affect trees both on-site, or on adjoining land.

What is required?

As a minimum, applicants should submit a tree survey for sites where trees are present on or adjacent to the site.

Applicants will be required to submit a full Arboriculture Impact Assessment (AIA) in accordance with BS5837:2012, to include full BS schedule information where trees and or hedges are to be removed or likely to be impacted along with, required mitigation and areas for replacement tree planting.

Applicants will be required to submit an Arboriculture Method Statement in accordance with BS 5837 detailing all the methodologies required to successfully protect retained trees.

Applicants will be required to submit a woodland management plan where blocks of trees may become integral to the landscape and character of a new development.

Particular consideration should be given to veteran or ancient trees and hedgerows identified as 'important' under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

• SCLP NH/7
• NPPF paragraphs 174 & 180
• Trees and Development Sites SPD
• Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) guidance BS5837
• BS3998