In additional to the National mandatory documents you are also required to submit:

Heritage statement (if applicable) – 2 copies of a Heritage Statement where the application site comprises a Listed Building or the site is included within a conservation area.

The National Planning Policy Framework requires an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected. This includes any contribution made by their setting.
The level of detail should:

  • be relative to the importance of the assets,
  • be enough to understand the potential impact of the proposal on the significance of the assets, and
  • provide a clear justification (rationale) for the proposal.

As a minimum the Council’s historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary.

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.

Flood risk assessment (if applicable) – If any part of the proposed development will fall within a flood zone you will be required to submit 2 copies of a Flood Risk Assessment. The environment agency website will help you determine if the proposed site is in a flood zone.

Tree Survey/Arboricultural report – You will be required to submit 2 copies of a tree report/arboricultural impact statement if any part of the development is going to affect any tree. This includes trees within the curtilage of the site or an adjoining site. The report should be detailing the implications of the development on those trees.

Noise assessment report (if applicable) – Where it is proposed to undertake residential development adjacent to or in close proximity to a main road, a noise generating commercial use or a railway line, 2 copies of a noise assessment will be required that provides ambient noise levels and projected noise levels within the proposed building.

Air Quality report (if applicable) – applications should be supported by 2 copies of all necessary information, which would allow a full consideration of the impact of the proposal on the air quality of the area where:

  • a development is proposed inside, or
  • a proposed development is adjacent to an air quality management area (AQMA), or
  • the development could in itself result in the designation of an AQMA or
  • the grant of planning permission would conflict with (or render unworkable) elements of a local authority’s air quality action plan

Transport assessment/statement (if applicable) – 2 copies of a transport assessment is a comprehensive and systematic process that:

  1. sets out the transport issues relating to a proposed development and
  2. identifies measures that will be taken to deal with the anticipated transport impacts of a scheme.

For medium size developments, a transport statement rather than a full assessment will usually be sufficient. For further information and guidance please refer to the Council’s Parking standards and transport assessments SPD.

Ecology – The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 gives special protection to, amongst other species, bats. If the proposed development may affect a protected species, such as a bat roost, a preliminary ecological appraisal should be carried out. As part of the consideration of an application the Council must be satisfied that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on protected species. It is recommended that you get in touch with the city council’s ecologist as soon as possible to discuss what survey requirements are necessary.

Habitats Regulations Assessment – The city has a wealth of natural habitats and an incredibly scenic coastline which are part of the attractiveness of the area. Large sections of the Solent coastline have been internationally recognised as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Other areas have been designated as SSSI’s, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s), Ramsar sites or Local Nature Reserves.

Any development that is likely to have a significant effect on those areas will require the submission of a Habitats Regulations Assessment and package of mitigation. Further information can be found in the Supplementary Planning Document
‘Solent Special Protection Areas and Milton Common Local Nature Reserve Restoration and Management Framework’.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – If the development falls within Schedule I or II of the Town and Country Planning EIA regulations (2011) you will be required to submit 3 copies of an environmental impact assessment.

If you are unsure whether an EIA statement is required you can submit an EIA screening opinion to us for clarification prior to submitting your application.

Demolition of a non-listed building in a conservation area – in addition to the mandatory requirements, and a Heritage statement and drawings referred to above, the application needs to be accompanied by photographs showing the elevations of the building(s).