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Application forms and guidance documents

All necessary forms and guidance for making a planning application to Essex County Council are available online for ease of access. It is possible to make an application directly online, using the Government’s Planning Portal. Alternatively, applications can be made by post. Mineral applications can be made directly online using a separate mineral application portal.
 
Following the introduction of the standardised planning application form (1APP), Essex County Council’s Minerals and Waste Planning team have produced a Supplementary Guidance Document for the submission of Planning Applications.
 
All applications to Essex County Council must meet national validation requirements and local validation requirements. Local validation requirements are outlined in three checklists, for Full Applications, Lawful Development certificates and Listed Buildings and Conservation Area Consent. Failure to supply the information listed in the checklist in the manner specified will delay validation and consideration of an application.
 
Further information on the 1APP forms is available from the planning portal, or by contacting the Minerals and Waste Planning team directly. Information regarding the new fee structure for planning applications is available from the Planning Portal Fee Calculator, the Office of Public Sector Information or by contacting the Minerals and Waste Planning team.
 
In addition to the application form and other supporting documentation as listed in the validation checklists, certain types of development also require an Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out. Developers should contact the Minerals and Waste Planning team at the pre-application stage to see whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.
 
Free independent and professional help, advice and support on planning issues for people and communities who cannot afford to hire a planning consultant is available from Planning Aid. Run by the Royal Town Planning Institute, a registered charity, Planning Aid provides independent advice that complements the work of local authorities. 
 

Forms and Guidance 

Application for Planning Permission 

Standard full planning application forms and guidance are available to assist with completion.
 

Application for outline planning permission with some matters reserved 

Planning application form for ‘in principle’ consent where details of any of the following criteria have not been given in the application.
  • Access – to the site and within the site
  • Appearance – visual impact of site
  • Landscaping – treatment of land to enhance or protect amenities
  • Layout – situation and orientation of buildings, routes and open spaces in relation to each other
  • Scale – the height, width and length of each building within the development
  • Design – the form and function of the development
  • Siting – where the development is located 
 

Application for outline planning permission with all matters reserved 

Planning application form and guidance for ‘in principle’ consent where details of all of the following criteria have not been given in the application.
  • Access – to the site and within the site
  • Appearance – visual impact of site
  • Landscaping – treatment of land to enhance or protect amenities
  • Layout – situation and orientation of buildings, routes and open spaces in relation to each other
  • Scale – the height, width and length of each building within the development 
 

Application for planning permission and conservation area consent for demolition in a conservation area 

Planning application form and guidance for an application involving the demolition of any building or structure in a conservation area. Conservation area consent is separate from planning permission, but application for both is made on a single form.
 

Application for planning permission and listed building consent for alterations, extension or demolition of a listed building 

Planning application form and guidance for an application involving the alteration, extension or demolition of a listed building that is not in a conservation area. Listed building consent is separate from planning permission, but application for both is made on a single form. 
 

Application for conservation area consent for demolition in a conservation area 

Conservation area consent application form and guidance for the demolition of any building or structure within a conservation area, where no replacement building or structure is being erected.
 

Application for listed building consent for alterations, extension or demolition of a listed building 

Listed building consent application form for alterations, extension or demolition of a listed building where no planning permission is required. Clarification as to whether planning permission is required should be sought, prior to application, from the Minerals and Waste Planning team.
 

Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for an Existing use or operation or activity including those in breach of a planning condition 

Lawful Development Certificate application form and guidance for an Existing use or operation. See the Communities and Local Government website for further information about Lawful Development Certificates. Pre-application advice can be obtained from the Minerals and Waste Planning team.
 

Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed use or development 

Lawful Development Certificate application form and guidance for a proposed use or operation. See the Communities and Local Government website for further information about Lawful Development Certificates. Further clarification and pre-application advice can be obtained from the Minerals and Waste Planning team. 
 

Application for approval of reserved matters following outline approval 

Following the granting of outline planning permission, this is the application form and guidance for approval of any or all of the reserved matters outlined below:
  • Access – to the site and within the site
  • Appearance – visual impact of site
  • Landscaping – treatment of land to enhance or protect amenities
  • Layout – situation and orientation of buildings, routes and open spaces in relation to each other
  • Scale – the height, width and length of each building within the development
  • Design – the form and function of the site
  • Siting – where the development is located 
 

Application for removal or variation of a condition following the granting of planning permission or a minor material amendment of an existing permission 

This application form and guidance is for three particular issues:
  • Where planning permission has been granted with conditions, to apply for the removal of a condition.
  • Where planning permission has been granted with conditions, to apply for the amendment of a condition.
  • Where planning permission has been granted, to apply for a minor material amendment to the existing permission.
 
A minor material amendment is one whose scale and nature results in a development that is not substantially different from the one which has been approved. Call the Minerals and Waste Planning team for pre-application advice. 
 

Application for approval of details reserved by condition 

The application form and guidance for approval of details reserved by condition is required where a condition in a planning permission or a listed building consent required details of a specific aspect of the development that was not fully described in the original application.
 

Application for new planning permission to replace extant planning permission, associated listed building and/or conservation area consent in order to extend the time limit for implementation 

The application form and guidance required to extend the time allowed for works where planning permission and associated listed building and/or conservation area consent has been granted with a specific time limit within which works must be carried out. 
 

Application for a non-material amendment following a grant of planning permission 

Following the granting of planning permission, a non-material amendment may be requested. This application form and guidance allows non-material amendments to be made without the need to submit a new planning application. The decision as to whether a change is material or non-material is one of fact and degree, taking into account the likely impact of the amendment, with the original planning application forming the benchmark. Pre-application advice should be sought from the Minerals and Waste Planning team. 
 
 
Further information and pre-application advice relating to planning applications can be obtained directly from the Minerals and Waste Planning team, whose helpline can be contacted on 01245 435555.