Lawful Development Certificate - Proposed Use or Development

When is it required?

Always required - A completed form is always required (one copy of all application documents must be supplied if submitted by post).

What is required?

Please ensure that you have completed every section of the application form before submitting it. Where sections or questions are not relevant please say so on the form.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

Is it required?

They are 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 only 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 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 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:

• For 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)
• 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character or description on the same site by the same applicant within 12 months of making the earlier application if withdrawn or the date of decision if granted or refused and NOT a duplicate application made by the same applicant within 28 days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.

Source, policies and references

National validation requirement

Use 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 compass 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 Ordnance Survey Licensing

The 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 needed for access to the site from a public highway, visibility displays, 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.

When is it required?

Optional

What is required?

Details of why in the opinion of the applicant the proposed development is 'permitted development' under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

Interpretation and Guidance notes

For example where the development involves a dormer window please state:

• Which part of the General Permitted Development Order is being used e.g. Schedule 2 Class B - additions etc to the roof of a house or Class C - other alterations to the roof of a house
• Proposed cubic volume of the dormer
• Finishing materials to be used