Lawful development certificate (proposed)

The documents, and what each must show

Documents that are always needed come first. Each point is what the check looks for, with the article or guidance it rests on. The council’s local validation list can add to these.

1. Location plan

   Always needed

   A map that shows where the site is, with the site edged in red. Buy one from a Planning Portal-accredited map supplier: they're Ordnance Survey based, at 1:1250, and come with the red line drawn for you.

   Draw the red line around the whole property, including the garden and the drive up to the road. Edge any other land you own nearby in blue.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • The plan is based on an up-to-date map (normally an Ordnance Survey base bought from an accredited supplier), showing today's buildings and roads - including any recent extensions and new houses nearby.PPG Making an application, para. 024 (ID 14-024-20140306)
   • A recognised metric scale is stated, normally 1:1250 or 1:2500, together with the paper size it was drawn for (A4 or A3).PPG Making an application, para. 024 (ID 14-024-20140306)
   • A north point is shown.DMPO 2015 art. 39(2)(a)
   • The whole site is edged clearly in red: for a house, the full property including front and back garden, not just the footprint of the works.PPG Making an application, para. 024 (ID 14-024-20140306)
   • The red line takes in all land needed for the works, including the connection to a public road (it normally reaches the edge of the road or pavement).PPG Making an application, para. 024 (ID 14-024-20140306)
   • Any other land you own next to or close to the site is edged in blue (only if you own any).PPG Making an application, para. 024 (ID 14-024-20140306)
   • Enough surrounding roads and buildings are shown, with at least two roads named, for the site to be found without doubt.PPG Making an application, para. 024 (ID 14-024-20140306)
   • A scale bar is shown, so the plan can still be measured if it is printed at a different size.PPG Making an application, para. 023 (ID 14-023-20140306)
   • The Ordnance Survey copyright and licence number are shown (a sign the map base was bought legitimately and is current).
   • It is a proper location plan, not a screenshot from an online map or satellite image with no scale.DMPO 2015 art. 7(2)
   Common mistakes

   • The red line only goes round the extension, not the whole property.
   • The red line stops short of the road, so the access isn't included.
   • A screenshot from an online map: no scale, no north point.
   • An old map that doesn't show recent extensions or new houses next door.

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 39(2)(a)

2. Application form

   Always needed

   The lawful development certificate application form (proposed use or development). On the Planning Portal, save or download the PDF of your draft application and upload it here.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • It's the form for a certificate of lawfulness of proposed use or development.TCPA 1990 s.192(1)
   • The land is identified by its full address (and, if only part of a property, which part), the same as the address of this application.DMPO 2015 art. 39(1)
   • The use or operations are described precisely (what, where, how big), not just a use class or 'extension'.PPG Lawful development certificates, para. 005 (ID 17c-005-20140306)
   • The grounds are given: why the use or development is (or would be) lawful.DMPO 2015 art. 39(1)
   • Your interest in the land is stated, with the name and address of anyone else with an interest and whether they've been told.DMPO 2015 art. 39(2)(c)
   • The declaration is signed and dated.PPG Lawful development certificates, para. 013 (ID 17c-013-20140306)

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 39(1)

3. Block plan (site plan)

   Depends on the proposal

   A plan of the property from above at a larger scale than the location plan, showing the works, the boundaries and the buildings next door.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • A metric scale is stated, normally 1:200 or 1:500 (1:100 is also fine for a small plot).DMPO 2015 art. 7(2); council local validation lists
   • A north point is shown.DMPO 2015 art. 7(2)
   • All the property boundaries are shown, with the type of boundary (fence, wall, hedge) where it matters.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • The proposed extension, building or works is clearly marked (hatched or coloured) in its exact position, with its outline matching the floor plans.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Distances from the works to the nearest boundaries are written on the plan.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.1(i); council local validation lists
   • Neighbouring buildings next to the works are shown, ideally with their windows nearest the boundary.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • The road, the access and any parking spaces are shown where they are affected.Council local validation lists
   • Trees on or next to the site that could be affected are shown.Council local validation lists
   Common mistakes

   • No distances to the boundaries.
   • The extension on the block plan doesn't match the floor plans.
   • The neighbouring houses are left off.

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

4. Existing floor plans and elevations

   Depends on the proposal

   Drawings of the building as it is now: the floors and elevations that the works will change.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • Drawn to a stated metric scale, normally 1:50 or 1:100, and the paper size is given (or a scale bar is shown).DMPO 2015 art. 7(2); council local validation lists
   • Clearly titled 'existing', so the drawings can't be confused with the proposed ones.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Floor plans of every floor the works affect, with room uses labelled.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Every elevation the works affect is drawn (front, rear and sides as relevant), labelled by side or compass direction.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Any earlier extensions or outbuildings are shown, so the original house can be told apart.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.1(ja)
   • The existing roof is shown, including ridge and eaves heights, where the works touch the roof or come close to its height.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.1(c)
   Common mistakes

   • Existing and proposed drawings on one sheet without clear titles.
   • Only the rear elevation, when the extension also shows on the side.

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

5. Proposed floor plans

   Depends on the proposal

   Drawings of each floor as it will be after the works, with the new part clearly shown.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • Drawn to a stated metric scale, normally 1:50 or 1:100, and the paper size is given (or a scale bar is shown).DMPO 2015 art. 7(2); council local validation lists
   • Clearly titled 'proposed'.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Every floor the works affect is shown (for a loft conversion, the new loft floor and the floor below with the new staircase).DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Room uses are labelled.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • The overall external size of the new part is dimensioned (depth and width).DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • New work is told apart from what is there now (shaded, hatched or annotated).DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • The plans match the elevations and the block plan: same depth, same openings, same position.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

6. Proposed elevations

   Depends on the proposal

   Drawings of each side of the building as it will look after the works, with heights and materials.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • Drawn to a stated metric scale, normally 1:50 or 1:100, and the paper size is given (or a scale bar is shown).DMPO 2015 art. 7(2); council local validation lists
   • Clearly titled 'proposed', with each elevation labelled (front, rear, side, or by compass direction).DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Every elevation that changes is drawn, including the side facing a neighbour.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • The new part is drawn together with the existing building, so its height can be compared with the existing roof and eaves.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.1(c)
   • Heights are dimensioned from ground level: ridge or top of the roof, and eaves (or parapet for a flat roof).GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.1(d)
   • External materials are written on the drawing (walls, roof, windows, doors), or a materials schedule is referred to.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • New windows, doors and rooflights are shown, with side-facing upper-floor windows marked as obscure-glazed where that's proposed.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.3(b)
   • The elevations match the floor plans and the block plan.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   Common mistakes

   • The side elevation facing the neighbour is missing.
   • No heights, or heights not measured from ground level.
   • Materials not stated.

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

7. Roof plan

   Depends on the proposal

   A drawing of the roof from above, showing its shape and any dormers or rooflights.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • Drawn to a stated metric scale, normally 1:50, 1:100 or 1:200, and the paper size is given (or a scale bar is shown).DMPO 2015 art. 7(2); council local validation lists
   • The roof shape is shown: ridges, hips, valleys and the direction of slopes, with flat roofs marked.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Dormers, rooflights, solar panels and chimneys are shown in position.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)
   • Dormers are dimensioned from the eaves, the ridge and the edges of the roof slope (and the party wall on a semi or terrace).GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class B, para. B.2(b)(i)(bb)
   • Roof materials are noted.DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 7(1)(c)(ii)

8. Statement of lawfulness

   Recommended

   A short statement (or covering letter) that goes through the limits and conditions of the permitted development class one by one and shows how your proposal meets each. Not legally required, but it is the evidence the council decides on, and it avoids refusals for lack of information.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • Names the permitted development class (or other legal basis) relied on.TCPA 1990 s.192(1)
   • Goes through each relevant limit (depth, height, eaves, distance to boundary, width, volume, coverage) with the figure for this proposal.PPG Lawful development certificates, para. 006 (ID 17c-006-20140306)
   • Confirms the conditions will be met: materials of similar appearance, obscure-glazed side windows where needed.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.3(a)
   • Mentions earlier extensions and confirms permitted development rights haven't been removed.GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Pt 1 Class A, para. A.1(ja)

   Required by DMPO 2015 art. 39(2)(b)

9. Photographs of the site

   Recommended

   Recent photos of the building and the area where the works will go. Not required nationally, but some councils ask for them and they speed up the officer's assessment.

   What it must show

   • The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
   • The photos show the parts of the building and site where the works will go, and the neighbouring property next to them.Council local validation lists
   • The photos are recent and show the site as it is now.Council local validation lists

   Required by Council local validation lists