Local requirements are dependent on the type of application submitted. To find out which local mandatory documents are required in addition to the national requirements, please see the application type under the headings or application types listed below.
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:
Community infrastructure levy
From April 2012, all development in the city is potentially liable to pay the community infrastructure levy, which will help fund infrastructure projects to support the development of the city.
We will need accurate information regarding proposed new floorspace, as well as any proposed demolition or reuse of existing floorspace, in order to establish whether a development is liable and to calculate liability correctly.
We also need to know who will pay the levy if planning permission is granted and implemented.
Download and complete the community infrastructure forms available on the planning portal then submit with your planning application.
Submitting a planning application within flood zone 2 or 3
Although specific guidance is available through the Planning Portal and Planning Practice Guidance, to assist applicants who are proposing a householder development or small non-residential extensions (less than 250sqm) you should download and complete the Flood risk – assessment and information form and submit it with your planning application.
If you do not provide this information or a site specific flood risk assessment, your application will be invalid. Before completing the Flood Risk Assessment form you should refer to the standing advice on the GOV.UK website
Air quality
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.
Contaminated land
The potential for contamination is a material planning consideration, and the government has indicated that it considers that the redevelopment of sites is the most appropriate and cost effective time to deal with contamination issues. Applications which involve the creation of new residential properties, or an extension to a residential property where contamination or gassing is known, or commercial redevelopment with an area greater than 250m², will need to be accompanied by a desk-top study outlining historical uses.
Houses in multiple occupation
With the introduction of an Article 4 Direction on 1 November 2011 planning permission is required for the change of use of a Class C3 dwelling to a Class C4 HMO where between three and six unrelated people share a kitchen and/or a bathroom. Planning applications for change of use can be made online using the Planning Portal website. For a change of use application it will be necessary to submit; (i) a location plan and block plan, in accordance with the National requirements, together with floor plans to a scale of either 1:100 or 1:50 showing the internal layout of the property, and (ii) a schedule of room sizes. Where accommodation is to be provided within the roof space, the submitted drawings must include cross-sections to show the floor area with a headroom of at least 1.5m.
The fee for this type of application is £462.
Where an application is submitted for a change of use from a Class C4 HMO to a Sui Generis HMO a planning fee and the normal requirements for an application for full permission will apply. These requirements include floor plans and a schedule of room sizes. Where accommodation is to be provided within the roof space the submitted drawings must include cross-sections to show the floor area with a headroom of at least 1.5m.
Housing floor space standards
Where an application includes the provision of residential accommodation [e.g. flats, houses and maisonettes] drawings showing the internal layout of that accommodation are required to include a schedule of the gross internal floor areas of the proposed accommodation which have a headroom of at least 1.5m together with the floor areas of bedrooms. Where accommodation is to be provided within the roof space, the submitted drawings must include cross-sections to show the floor area with a headroom of at least 1.5m.
Statement of Community Involvement
The National Planning Policy Framework emphasises the importance of planning applicants carrying out community engagement on their emerging proposals and states: ‘Applicants will be expected to work closely with those directly affected by their proposals to evolve designs that take account of the views of the community. Proposals that can demonstrate this in developing the design of the new development should be looked on more favourably.’
Consultation with the public and other stakeholders by a developer/applicant on more significant or sensitive proposals prior to the submission of an application can help to identify at an early stage potential problems or improvements that could be made to proposals.
Applications for more significant or sensitive proposals are to be supported by a statement setting out how the views of the local community have been sought and taken into account in the formulation of development proposals. The level of detail provided should reflect the scale of the development. Early engagement with the Council’s Development Management Team is encouraged to establish objectives and agree the consultation approach, including who will be consulted, and set out what the public can influence by making comments.
Heritage statements
Where a development proposal would impact on the fabric or setting of a designated (or non-designated) heritage asset, the applicant will be required to provide a supporting heritage statement (HS).
The statement should be proportionate to the significance of the asset, and the scale of proposed work. Its content should describe the significance of the asset, identify the impact of the proposal on that significance, and provide a clear justification (rationale) for any development, (particularly where a proposal would result in harm to asset(s) or their setting).
In preparing the statement, the applicant should as a minimum consult the City Council’s Historic Environment Record (HER).
Application for a building or land that you do not own
If you have signed a certificate B, you will also need to complete a Notice No 1 form.
New residential developments may also be subject to our Solent Recreation Mitigation strategy. Find out more about the scheme here.