Overview
A householder planning application is used for proposals to alter or extend a single dwellinghouse, including works within its curtilage (garden and grounds).
This guidance is designed to help you prepare and submit a valid householder planning application. It is also a useful starting point for proposals affecting listed buildings, although separate listed building consent may be required and additional information may need to be submitted.
Before submitting an application we strongly encourage applicants to consider our pre-application advice services. These services can help identify any planning issues at an early stage, provide an indication of how relevant planning policies may apply to a proposal, and help applicants submit higher quality applications.
We currently offer:
A written pre-application advice service, providing a formal written response from a planning officer.
A telephone pre-application advice service, allowing applicants to discuss proposals with a planning officer before making a submission.
Please note that pre-application advice is provided without prejudice to the formal determination of any subsequent planning application and does not guarantee that planning permission will be granted.
Following the guidance on this page will help ensure that your application can be validated and processed without unnecessary delay. However, validation of an application does not indicate that planning permission will be granted. Every application is assessed on its own merits, taking account of the development plan, national planning policy, and all other material planning considerations.
Need advice before applying?
Our pre-application services can help you understand whether planning permission is likely to be required, identify any policy or design issues, and highlight the information needed for a successful submission. Details of our written and telephone pre-application services, including fees, can be found [here].
That approach helps drive uptake of the service without overselling it or creating any expectation that favourable advice guarantees permission.
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Making a valid application
When you submit an application the first thing we do is check you've provided all the information we need to assess it. We call this process validation.
An application is invalid if it doesn't have all the information we need. This means we cannot process it until you send us the missing information. The most common reasons why applications are invalid are.
- drawings are not labelled clearly or correctly – all drawings must be given a descriptive label, for example 'existing first floor plan' or 'proposed front elevation', with a plan number
- inaccurate or missing plans and information – you can find more guidance on drawings and information we need within the pages of this section of our website
- drawings not drawn to a recognised scale – all drawings must be to a recognised scale and must clearly state the scale
- incorrect fee or no fee at all – the national Planning Portal provides a fee calculator and a guide you can download at Planning Portal: what it costs
- no red line drawn around the application site on the site location plan – more details can be found in the National Planning Practice Guidance at GOV.UK: making an application
- neighbour windows are not visible on plans – all householder application must follow our design guide for residential alterations and extensions
- scheme proposals are incomplete – your proposal must include all details of your scheme
You can avoid delays to your application by making sure you have covered all the points above when you submit it to us.