Local mandatory planning documents
Local requirements depend on the type of application submitted.
The local mandatory planning documents (the local list) were reviewed and consulted between 3 November 2023 and 15 December 2023. They were adopted on 23 July 2024.
There are, however, certain general or site specific requirements that will apply to planning applications which must also be met. These are outlined as follows:
Floor plans – Existing and proposed floor plans of all floors drawn to a metric scale of 1:50 or 100 and showing the direction of North. Where the development provides any additional dwellinghouses (flats, houses or maisonettes) or alters or provides a House of Multiple Occupancy, floor plans must show the internal layout of that accommodation and every room within it, accompanied by a schedule of the gross internal floor areas of the proposed accommodation. Where accommodation is to be provided within the roof space, the submitted drawings must include elevations, cross-sections and plans to show the floor area with a headroom of at least 1.5m.
Elevations – Existing and proposed elevations of all elevations drawn to a metric scale of 1:50 or 1:100. Elevations should be clearly annotated with their orientation (north/south and/or front/rear etc). Elevations should include annotations for the location of proposed materials (for operational development) and details of colour and method and colour of illumination (if applicable and especially relevant for applications for Advertisement Consent).
Sections – Existing and proposed sections drawn to a metric scale of 1:50 or 1:100
Roof plans – Existing and proposed roof plans to a metric scale of 1:50 or 1:100
Streetscenes – If alterations are proposed to the front elevation, proposed streetscenes to a metric scale of 1:100 showing at least two neighbouring properties on each site.
Architectural details – for applications for Listed Building Consent plans showing key architectural details to a metric scale of 1:20. This may include any new windows, doors and gates.
Photographs and Photomontages – Site photographs, or montages including the proposal can be beneficial to understand a scheme. This may be particularly useful for applications for Advertisement Consent.
Flood risk assessment (for development in Flood Zone 2 and 3) – If any part of the proposed development will fall within a flood zone you will be required to submit a Flood Risk Assessment. The environment agency website will help you determine if the proposed site is in a flood zone.
Flood risk Assessment Required by para 167 of the NPPF for works to properties with Flood Zones 2 and 3, or where the site area is greater than 1hectare, or the site is at risk of flooding from any source.
Tree Survey/Arboricultural report – If there are any trees on the site, or adjacent to the site, i.e. any part of the development is going to affect any tree then you will be required to submit a tree report detailing the implications of the development on those trees. For application to works on a tree within a tree preservation order or in a Conservation Area where disease is being claimed or damage to property is alleged written arboricultural advice or other diagnostic information from an appropriate expert (e.g. engineer or surveyor as appropriate) will be required.
Contaminated land Assessment – Where the risk of contamination or gassing is known to be present on-site applications which involve the creation of new dwellinghouse, an extension to a residential property or commercial redevelopment with an area greater than 250m² will need to be accompanied by a desk-top study outlining historical uses.
Air Quality Impact Assessment – Where a development is proposed inside, or adjacent to an air quality management area (AQMA), or where the development could in itself result in the designation of an AQMA or where the grant of planning permission would conflict with, or render unworkable, elements of a local authority’s air quality action plan, applications should be supported by such information as is necessary to allow a full consideration of the impact of the proposal on the air quality of the area.
Transport Assessment/Transport Statement – All developments should consider the transport impacts created, maximising opportunities to reduce reliance on private cars and assessing the implication of traffic movements. A proportionate assessment of impacts must accompany an application and the thresholds and details of such assessments are contained with the Council’s SPD on Parking Standards and Transport Assessments.
Construction Environmental Management Plan and/or Statement of method of demolition – In respect of larger or complex sites where the development work itself will have likely adverse environmental effects a ‘CEMP’ may be required to describe how these effects will be managed. For schemes involving significant demolition, or for applications for prior approval for demolition a statement of proposed method of demolition should be provided.
Habitat Regulations Assessment – For any development creating new dwellinghouses, hotel bedspaces, or other use that increases overnight stays an assessment of the Likely Significant Effect on the Special Protection Areas surrounding Portsmouth should be submitted. This will need to include the applications response to the Council’s Revised Interim Nutrient Neutral Strategy and the Solent Recreation Mitigation Strategy.
Biodiversity and Protected Species – Where a proposed development may have possible impacts on wildlife and biodiversity information should be provided on existing biodiversity interests and an assessment of possible impacts, including any proposals for mitigating, management and compensating for such effects. This may include a Protected Species Survey and Assessment (Phase 1 Habitat Survey) if protected sites or protected species are likely to be affected. For relevant schemes to be determined after November 2023 details of achieving a 10% Biodiversity Net gain in accordance with the national Metric will also need to be submitted. Further guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain is available from DEFRA and on the Council’s website.
For applications for Lawful Development Certificate for an Existing use, or Operation or Activity in Breach of a Planning Condition; or for a Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed use or development – Evidence Supporting the Lawful Use of the Site – The burden of proof in an application for a Certificate of Lawful Development lies firmly with the applicant and therefore clear and precise information, supported by sufficient evidence, must be provided to enable the Council to make a complete and accurate assessment against current planning legislation. Failure to submit all the required information may result in the refusal of your application.
Biodiversity Gain Plan – As of the November 2023 all proposals for Major Development, and from April 2024 all proposals for Minor Development will need to be accompanied by a Biodiversity Gain Plan. This plan should include:
- Headline Results of the latest version of the DEFRA Metric with its supporting calculations showing the pre-development and the post-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat; and
- information about the steps taken or to be taken to minimise the adverse effect of the development on the biodiversity of the onsite habitat and any other habitat and steps taken to provide at least 10% biodiversity net gain (unless Local Plan policy requires a higher level) on site; or
- where not all of the 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (or higher where required by Local Plan policy) requirement can be provided on site, any proposal for biodiversity gain or registered offsite biodiversity gain allocated to the development and the biodiversity value of that gain in relation to the development.
Where layout is a reserved matter, the Biodiversity Gain Plan submitted should show the headline results of the latest version of the DEFRA metric with its supporting calculations showing the pre-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat and the location of those habitats.
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) – for largescale applications a Health Impact assessment is required. This assessment should demonstrate that the development can:
- understand the local community health needs and demonstrate how it can support these;
- demonstrate how it has considered health inequalities;
- meet the requirements of the 2017 Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations as they apply to human health;
- meet the various requirements in relation to health of the National Planning Policy Framework
- meet the policy requirements of the Portsmouth Local Plan that major development proposals undertake an HIA;
- demonstrate the opportunities of a proposal and how a development has been positively planned.
Flood risk assessment (for development in Flood Zone 2 and 3) – If any part of the proposed development will fall within a flood zone you will be required to submit a Flood Risk Assessment. The environment agency website will help you determine if the proposed site is in a flood zone.
Heritage statement (If the site is within a Conservation Area, includes a Listed Building, Scheduled Monument, Registered Park or Garden or could impact on the setting or is adjacent to any of these, or if it has the potential to affect a locally listed building and/or other non-designated heritage asset) – The content and level of detail for a heritage statement should be proportionate to the importance of the asset and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposals on the significance of the asset. As an absolute minimum, reference should be made to the Portsmouth Historic Environment Record. Where an application site has potential for archaeological interest a desk-based assessment would normally suffice but in some situations a field evaluation would be required.
