Prepare a planning application
Prior approval
When to use a Prior Approval application
Some types of development are automatically granted planning permission by the government, which means you do not need to submit a planning application. These works are called permitted development. Some types of permitted development require prior approval, which means you must apply to us for approval before you begin the works.
There are many different types of Prior Approval applications. The validation checklist below includes the standard requirements for all Prior Approval applications. You should check The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (external website) to make sure you have submitted all the details required by legislation for the type of Prior Approval works you are applying for. You must submit all the details necessary for us to determine if your proposal complies with permitted development legislation. This includes any plans, drawings or other supporting information.
When you are ready, you can submit your planning application on the Planning Portal.
Validation checklist for Prior Approval applications
Required for all Prior Approval applications
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Description of the proposed development, and the developer's contact details
What you need to do
Provide a written description of the proposed development, and provide contact details for the developer. This must include a post address, email address and phone number.
We recommend that you provide this information as part of an application form. You can access the relevant application form from the Planning Portal.
Why we need this
This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
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Fee
What you need to do
Our application fees are set by the government. You must pay a fee for most application types. There are some fee exemptions which you can check on our planning applications types and fees webpage.
Make sure you:
- find out the correct fee for your application type
- make your payment online when you submit your application using the Planning Portal
- respond as soon as possible if we contact you for additional payment
Check how much you need to pay
View our guide on planning application types and fees to check how much you need to pay.
You can also:
- check the government guidance on which types of applications do not need a fee
- view the list of planning fees in England
- use a planning fee calculator if you're unsure about how much you need to pay
Why we need this
Planning fees are a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012.
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Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) forms and drawings
What you need to do
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on development set by local authorities. We use the money raised to deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in Southwark. You need to submit CIL information for all application types.
Make sure you:
- complete and submit the CIL Additional Information Requirement Form 1
- complete and submit all other CIL related requirements if relevant
- include colour-coded plans and additional CIL forms if relevant, which are listed in our further guidance on what to submit for CIL (PDF, 151kb)
View more information on when you need to pay CIL.
Refer to the Planning Portal guidance on what CIL forms to submit.
Why we need this
To make sure the right amount of CIL is paid.
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Location Plan
What you need to do
Submit a plan of the site showing the application site in relation to the surrounding area.
Make sure you:
- scale plans at 1:1250 or 1:2500 and include a scale bar on each plan, on A4 or A3 paper size
- use an up-to-date base map
- show roads or buildings on land adjoining the application site (labelling at least two roads)
- outline the application site clearly in red; this must include all land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings
- outline any additional land under the ownership of the applicant in blue if it immediately adjoins the proposed area
Read more about how to prepare a valid plan.
Why we need this
This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) 2015 (as amended).
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Site Plan
What you need to do
Submit a plan of the site showing the development in relation to the boundaries and existing on-site buildings.
Make sure you:
- scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 and include a scale bar on each plan, on A4 or A3 paper size
- include an arrow to show the direction of north
- clearly label and number all immediately adjoining buildings and all main roads surrounding the site
- outline the application site clearly in red. This must include all land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings
- outline in blue any other land within the applicant's control that is close to or adjoining the application site
Read more about how to prepare a valid plan.
You can use an external service to buy a site plan.
Why we need this
This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
Required for some Prior Approval applications
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Fire Safety Strategy (for Prior Approval for new dwelling houses)
What you need to do
Submit a Fire Safety Strategy for all applications made under Schedule 2, Part 20, Class A (new dwelling houses on detached blocks of flats) or Class AA (new dwelling houses on detached buildings in commercial or mixed-use development) to an existing building that is 18m or more in height.
Make sure you:
- check guidance by the Greater London Authority on the requirements of a Fire Safety Strategy
- include the following details in the Fire Safety Strategy:
- name and title of who wrote and approved the planning application's fire safety information, with a clear statement describing their competence, including relevant qualifications and experience
- information under each part of London Plan Policy D12 (A); this should be specific and relevant to the proposed development
- the relevant safety design codes and standards and how these ensure the proposed development achieves the highest standards of fire safety. This should be proportionate to the size and nature of the development
Why we need this
This is required in compliance with paragraph B4 (1) of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2214).
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ICNIRP Certificate (for Prior Approval for telecommunications development)
What you need to do
Submit an ICNIRP Certificate for all applications made under Schedule 2, Part 16 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
Refer to further guidance on telecommunications applications (PDF, 53kb) for more information.
Why we need this
The ICNIRP guidelines are a set of radiation levels proposed by an international body. These are used as the maximum recommended levels of radiation for base stations. We require this certificate to ensure that these levels have been met.
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Supporting documents (for Prior Approval for larger home extensions)
What you need to do
Submit further details about the proposed development for applications made under Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
This information must include:
- photographs showing the development site and its relationship with neighbouring properties
- drawings showing the proposed floor plans, elevations and roof plan
- details of proposed methods for mitigating the impact on the amenity of neighbours where the development is likely to have an adverse effect on the quality of the air, noise levels in the area, and light to neighbouring properties
- details of actions to reduce disturbance due to substantial excavation or demolition works, construction works, and prevent damage to trees
For guidance on preparing these documents, check our full planning application checklist.
Why we need this
To inform our assessment of your application.
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Supporting documents (for Prior Approval for demolition)
What you need to do
Submit further details about the proposed demolition for applications made under Schedule 2, Part 11 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
These details must include:
- a Demolition Method Statement
- photographs of the existing building
For guidance on preparing these documents, check our full planning application checklist.
Why we need this
To inform our assessment of your application.
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Tree survey or Arboricultural Impacts Assessment (for works that impact trees)
What you need to do
Provide an appraisal of the quality of existing trees on site, and identify protection measures to be implemented during construction and potential management measures. The assessment should be prepared by a named project arboricultural consultant
Make sure you:
- provide tree retention and removal plans
- identify Root Protection Areas on proposed layout plans
- ensure the assessment complies with the British Standards BS5837, BS3998 and BS8545, and Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) guidance.
View more information about works to trees in Southwark.
When you need to submit this
You need to submit a Tree survey or Arboricultural Impacts Assessment for:
- applications involving the pruning or removal of existing trees
- applications carrying out works (including the excavation of foundations and service/utility runs) that may affect trees on site or on adjoining land
Why we need this
To ensure that all retained trees are not harmed by development.
Relevant planning policy:
- London Plan 2021 Policy G7
- Southwark Plan 2022 policies P59 and P61
Page last updated: 10 September 2024
