1APP - The biggest change to the planning system in years
 

As part of the drive to provide a quicker, more predictable and efficient planning service, the Government is introducing new standard application forms under the heading of '1APP' for planning and related applications.  At the same time, it is introducing new information requirements for the validation of applications.  From the 6 April 2008, only planning and related applications submitted on the new '1APP' application forms and including the necessary national and local information will be accepted.  From 3 March 2008 you will be able to use the new 1APP forms on-line with the Planning Portal and be able to download 1APP forms and checklists from the HDC Website.

The principle behind 1APP is that there is one national standard set of application forms.  The new forms will allow the submission of two related applications on one set of forms, which means that an applicant will normally only have to submit one application.  For example, currently an applicant proposing to extend a listed building would need to submit a planning application and a separate listed building application.  Under the new regime they would submit a single application for 'Householder Application for Planning Permission for Works or Extension to a Dwelling and listed building consent'.  To cover most of the combinations of applications there are 25 different paper application forms.  Applications submitted electronically will be guided interactively to the appropriate form on the Planning Portal Website.  Alternatively the forms can be downloaded from the planning forms link to the right.

To be registered, an application will need to comprise the information required by the national list for the particular type of application (determined by National Government) and the information required by the local list (determined by each local planning authority, see link to checklist which gives details of the information requirements for each application type.  The checklist will need to be submitted to HDC with the form.

Further information on the lists and the validation of applications can be obtained by following the 'linked documents' to the right to the Department of Communities and Local Government's publication 'The Validation of Planning Applications - Guidance for local planning authorities'.