How to prepare a valid planning application
Outline planning permission
Outline planning permission is used to find out whether a proposal is likely to be approved by the council at an early stage. This type of planning application allows you to submit fewer details about the proposed development. Other details are agreed by a 'reserved matters' application at a later stage.
To support an outline planning application, you must submit:
- an application form
- a site plan outlining the development site
- information about the proposed use or uses
We recommend that you apply for pre-application advice to find out how much information we will need you to submit before you make your application.
After outline planning permission has been granted, you must submit a ’reserved matters’ application within three years of the consent.
Reserved matters can include:
- appearance - including the exterior of the development
- means of access - covers accessibility for all routes to and within the site
- landscaping
- layout - includes buildings, routes and open spaces within the development
- scale - including the height, width and length of each proposed building
Page last updated: 21 November 2023
