Each of the forms are listed below.
Please read the validation information and see the matrix (PDF) before clicking on each form type. Find out more about what each document must contain (PDF).
As stated in the Biodiversity Survey and Report, requirements within the Local Validation Lists above, the template produced by the Association for Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) can be obtained here ALGE Template (PDF)
National validation checklist
These documents are required nationally for your submission. Find further details with each form and on Making an application at GOV.UK.
- Application form fully completed.
- Ownership certificate and agricultural land declaration (as part of the application form).
- Certificates of Ownership: Please ensure you provide the relevant certificate with the planning application about ownership. Any Notice needs to be served on the relevant third party. Planning do not need a copy of the Notice served just the correctly completed certificate which indicates who Notice has been served upon.
- Serving notice on the Council as landowner: Any notices to be served by you need to be sent to the relevant team or persons and not planning. For example, if the land is highways land owned by Bedford Borough Council, please send to highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk and explain is Notice to them as landowner. If it is for property services at Bedford Borough Council, please send to BATSTeam@bedford.gov.uk. Please do not send a copy of the notice you have served to planning.
- Location plan – to scale and including North Point and at least two roads to identify the location. The application site must be outlined in red and must include land required for access to the edge of a public highway, visibility splays and any additional land intended for landscaping, carparking or open areas around buildings. Red line of an individual building is NOT sufficient. Please note that a location plan is not essential for a S73 application but is beneficial.
- Other plans and supporting information relevant to your application which may include:
- block plan to include relationship to adjoining properties
- existing and proposed floorplans
- existing and proposed elevations
- existing and proposed roof plans if changes to the roof are proposed
- phasing plan, required for major developments over 50 dwellings
- street scene (which may be required to show a proposal in the context of its surroundings and may include a photo montage)
- site sections (where there are changes in topography across the site)
- site levels (for new buildings not including householder development, noting that it must include finished floor levels)
- structural survey (for major alterations to Listed Buildings; see Local List for further information)
- floorplans (for changes of use, noting they must clearly show the existing and proposed uses in each area)
- Design and Access Statements and fire statements for high rise residential buildings and Environmental Impact Assessments for EIA regulation applications (see the documents list for more information (PDF))
- Planning applications plans must be to scale and scaled from in order to be able to check the application, you therefore must not mark them as ‘DO NOT SCALE’ as this will result in the application being invalidated.
- Plans must be submitted at the correct size they were originally created at which can be A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0, which is usually detailed on the plan itself.
- To view the list of the applications and additional documents to be submitted please see the next section ‘Local Validation Requirements’. You will also need to check the planning constraints on our map search guidance is provided.
Local validation requirements
Notes about plans and documents submitted on your application
Each application type will require specific documents to be submitted in addition to the national validation requirements our handy matrix PDF) will help you identify these. You can then find further details on each of the documents and an explanation of what they must contain (PDF). Please also read the following information.
Scales: Plans should be drawn to a scale for example 1:50 or 1:100 for elevations and block plans, 1:1250 or 1:2500 for a location plan and show the north point, a scale bar and be fully labelled. All plans must be scaled and be capable of being scaled from and must therefore not be marked ‘DO NOT SCALE’ or add ‘EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSES OF PLANNING’.
Photos of plans / websites or use of photographs to produce paper plans cannot be submitted.
Strings of Plans: Plans cannot be submitted as a string of plans; each plan must be submitted as individual PDFs. Photographs can only be accepted as supporting information and as PDFs. We cannot accept JPEG or PNG files. Plans must be submitted at the correct size and as they were created, which can be A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0.
Reports and redaction of documents / plans: Any plans/documents must not include email addresses, signatures, personal addresses or personal telephone numbers. Business addresses are acceptable.
Written reports/documents to support an application, such as an archaeology report or historic building analysis cannot be used to substitute the need for plans. Any written reports containing sensitive information, such as information on location of protected species or personal data must be provided as a redacted version which can be published online as well as an unredacted version for the officer to consider. It is the applicants’ responsibility to redact these, and the two reports must be identical other than the redacted areas. Please label in an identical manner and add “redacted2 or “unreacted” at the end of the title accordingly. The unredacted version will be held in our confidential files for officer use only. See for further information in relevant sections regarding need for such reports.
Documents/plans contents: This is not a definitive list and is aimed at providing advice on some common issues.
- Red line site plans must include means of access to a public highway, they cannot be around a building on its own or show access onto private tracks or drives.
- Block plans are advised to show any bin storage/cycle storage where this is required for a proposal.
- Floorplans must show the whole of the existing building as well as any additional floorspace and any walls being removed must be clearly shown.
- S73A / Retrospective applications will need to provide both as built and prior to be being built plans so they show the site prior to works being undertaken and after works carried out.
Submitting documents: All documents must be submitted in the same way you submitted the application online or in paper. We do not accept any documents by email / we transfer / links to other websites / drives. Please refer online for guidance on submitting larger documents and how to reduce them
Letters of support: Applicants / agents cannot provide comments on planning applications with submission of an application. Comments will only be considered when made directly to planning once we have undertaken statutory consultation. If you have carried out community engagement prior to submitting your application, you can provide a Statement of Community Involvement or similar document to explain how you have conducted and the outcome of the community engagement. There is no need to send us copy of specific or each individual comment made during the engagement process carried out by the applicant.
Protected and editable documents and forms: Please do not send through protected documents (password protected or otherwise) and ensure they are scanned in an editable version as detailed on the forms. Not supplying these in an editable version will delay your application validation.
Submitting amended or additional plans:
Before Validation: If you are required to submit further plans following receipt of an invalid letter, please supply the documents requested and where necessary refer to the matrix and this document for more information. For submissions made on the planning portal please delete any superseded plans (which will no longer be required) before resubmitting the new documents / plans. If you are providing new documents that were not requested or part of the original submission, please send a cover document or plans / documents list to explain what else you have supplied. If you have changed any element of the scheme such as the description of development, removal of a part of the original proposal etc this must also be explained in a cover letter or document.
After Validation: Please read the planning scheme of negotiating amendments on our Applicant and agent planning information and guidance webpage.
There is no automatic acceptance of amended or additional plans, additional information should not be submitted unless it has been requested through discussions with case officers. Once a case officer has agreed the documents to be submitted these must only be provided in the same way as you originally submitted your application ie on paper or online. Make it clear in your cover letter which documents have been superseded or added. When replacing plans, use the same reference numbers including any new version number used so that it is clear which plans are to be superseded and replaced. If this is not possible a checklist of existing plans to be replaced and their replacement numbers must be provided with your cover letter. Failure to be clear about which plans are being replaced may result in your amendments not being accepted by the officers.
Planning application forms
Householder application forms
1. Householder application for Planning Permission for works or extension to a dwelling (PDF)
2. Householder application for Planning Permission for works or extension to a dwelling and for relevant demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area (PDF)
Please note that conservation area consent is only required to demolish a building / structure which is bigger than 115 cubic metres or if a fence or wall is to be removed.
4. Planning Permission
(Use this form for changes of use, non-householder development and erection of dwellings).
5. Outline Planning Permission with some matters reserved
6. Outline Planning Permission with all matters reserved
7. Planning Permission and for relevant demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area
Please note that conservation area consent is only required to demolish a building / structure which is bigger than 115 cubic metres or if a fence or wall is to be removed.
9. Planning Permission and consent to display advertisements
10. Planning permission for relevant demolition in a conservation area
Please note that conservation area consent is only required to demolish a building / structure which is bigger than 115 cubic metres or if a fence or wall is to be removed.
11. Listed Building consent for alterations, extension or demolition of a Listed Building
12. Consent to display an advertisement
15. Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed use or development
The fee for this application is half the usual fee.
16. Prior Notification of agricultural or forestry development - proposed building
17. Prior Notification of agricultural or forestry development - proposed road
18. Prior Notification of agricultural or forestry development - excavation/ waste material
19. Prior Notification of agricultural or forestry development - proposed fish tank (cage)
20. Prior Notification of proposed development by Telecommunications Operators
22. Prior Notification of proposed demolition
23. Reserved matters application (following outline application permission)
24. Removal or variation of a condition following grant of Planning Permission
- Form 24 is not for the discharge/approval of conditions, for this you need Form 25.
- Form 24 Application Guidance Notes
25. Approval of details reserved by condition (Discharge of conditions)
- If you are wanting to do works to trees in a conservation area and some other trees that are subject to a TPO you will need to complete 2 forms one for the trees in the conservation area and one for the trees subject to a TPO
- Form 26 Application Guidance Notes
29. Non-material amendment to an application that was permitted
Please click on the above link and go to the section ‘How to discharge, vary and comply with S106 agreements’ to find the correct form for your request as there are three options. There is no fee applicable. In the event that the application is supported by a viability appraisal, the applicant will normally be required to meet the full costs incurred by the Council in appointing an independent viability assessor. The Heads of Terms draft template for S106s can be obtained here Draft S106 Template
32. Application for a certificate of lawfulness of proposed works to a listed building