How to prepare a valid planning application

Submitting a valid application is straightfoward if you follow the advice below. It explains how to ensure your application and supporting documents meet all requirements.

What do I need to submit with my application?
Need help making a valid application?

What do I need to submit with my application?

For an application to be valid and meet our best practice guidelines, you must submit all of the documents listed below. The government also offers guidance on making an valid application.

Please submit each document (including plans) as a separate file.

**What to submit with your application**
Document	When is it needed?	Requirements	How to prepare	Best practice examples
Application form	All applications	Completed, signed and dated. Use Planning Portal or download a copy.	See detailed guidance below.	Application form - best practice examples [PDF \| 1.01MB]
Site/block plan	All applications	- scaled at 1:500 or 1:200 - with scale bar - up-to-date base map - show the direction of North And show, if relevant: - all buildings, roads, footpaths on land adjoining the site - all public rights of way crossing or adjoining the site - the position of all trees on the site, including those directly adjacent and could be influenced/affected - extent and type of any hard surfacing and boundary treatment including walls or fencing where this is proposed	Site/Location plan - guidance (external website) Site/Location plan - buy a planning map (external website)	Site/Location plan - best practice example [PDF \| 1017KB]
Location plan	All applications	- scaled at 1:1250 or 1:2500 - with scale bar - should be on an up-to-date base map - should (where possible) identify sufficient roads or buildings on land adjoining the application site - should set out the location of development with a red line, including access to the highway where needed. Please note that we can only accept one red line area per submission. - should set out any additional land under the ownership of the applicant in blue, if it immediate adjoins the proposed area Please avoid using Land Registry plans due to copyright issues	Site/Location plan - guidance (external website) Site/Location plan - buy a planning map (external website)	Site/Location plan - best practice example [PDF \| 1017KB]
Ownership certificate	All applications	- Included in application form, but check this is correct.	See our detailed guidance on how to prepare an application below.	Application form (including ownership certificate) - best practice examples [PDF \| 1.01MB]
Fee	All applications	See planning and building control fees for specific fees.	You can pay your fee using our online service.
Existing and proposed elevations	All applications	- scaled at 1:100 or 1:50 - with scale bar - should show the proposed works by using colour or hatching in relation to the existing. All sides of the proposal must be shown, and these should (where possible) include materials and style	This must be scaled correctly.	Elevations - best practice examples [PDF\| 201KB]
Existing and proposed floor plans	All applications	- scaled at 1:100 or 1:50 - with scale bar - should explain the proposal in detail, and indicate where existing buildings and walls are to be demolished (preferably with a dotted line) - should show the proposed buildings in context with adjacent buildings	This must be scaled correctly.	Floor plans - best practice examples [PDF\| 177KB]
Existing and proposed roof plans	All applications	- scaled at 1:100 or 1:50 - with scale bar - should include details such as the roofing material and their location	This must be scaled correctly.
Ecology checklist	All applications	- fully completed, with an ecological survey if required.	Fully completed ecology checklist [PDF\| 140KB]
Ecology survey	Required when indicated by the ecology checklist.
CIL liability	If the proposal is CIL liable.	- relevant forms completed, and payment made (either in full or in installments)	See Community Infrastructure Levy for more information.
**Site sections / levels***	Required when works include alterations to ground levels, including: raised / sunken patios, decking, steps, etc.	- scaled at 1:100 or 1:50 - with scale bar - should show levels in context of adjoining areas, and how encroachment onto adjoining land is to be avoided	This must be scaled correctly.	.
Flood risk assessment*	Only needed when the proposal is in flood zone areas 2 or 3 or has over 1 hectare in flood zone.	- requirements vary on the severity of the flood risk.	Flood risk assessment guidance on UK Government website (external website).
Design and access statement*	Only needed when the proposal falls within a conservation area.		Design and access statement guidance on Planning Portal (external website).

We are currently in the process of updating our local validation list and guidance. The 2013 guidance that will be replaced soon can be found here: applicant's guide to submitting a valid planning application [PDF | 94KB].

How do I know if my site falls in a special area / designation?

Some of the documents above only apply if your site falls within a certain area (flood zones, conservation area, etc).

To check if your proposal falls within one of these areas, please see the following resources:

MyMaps - part of MyWycombe, shows GIS layers for adopted planning policy and planning constraints

Please note: We are currently updating our GIS layers, in addition to the layers on MyMaps we advise that you also look at the following:

Flood Map for Planning (external website) - latest data relating to flood zones
Long term flood risk (external website) - latest data on surface water flooding and long term flood risk
MAGICmaps (external website) - shows GIS layers for natural environmental features and constraints
Find a listed building (external website) - Historic England's record of listed buildings (note: this does not include locally listed buildings)

Need help making a valid application?

The Council offers a validation advice service to applicants wishing to ensure they make a valid planning application.

How to prepare an application form

You can either complete your application form online through the planning portal (external website) or by downloading a copy (external website).

Application form guidance
Part of application form	What this means	What do you need to submit/attach?
1. Site address	The address of the property you are looking to submit an application form.	Not applicable.
2. Applicant details	Your contact details.	Not applicable
3. Agent details	Your agent's contact details (if you're using an agent)	Not applicable
4. Description of proposed works	A description of the work you are applying for	Be specific on what is happening, not just where.
5. Materials	Details of the materials you will be using in your proposal	Specify existing materials as well as proposed materials. Make sure to include details of the plans you will be submitting. We recommend including both existing and proposed plans and elevations of work you are applying for, these should all be named and numbered and include scale bars.
6. Trees and hedges	Details of any trees within falling distance of your proposed development	You can illustrate these on your submitted plans, make sure to include the plan reference number.
7. Pedestrian and vehicle access, roads and rights of way	Details of any new or altered pedestrian and vehicle access points.	Not applicable
8. Parking	Details of whether the proposed development affects existing parking arrangements.	Not applicable
9. Site visit	Details on whether the site is visible from the outside of your property.	If your proposal is in an area that is not visible from public land, the officer doing the site visit will contact you to arrange an appointment.
10. Pre-application advice	Have you used the Council's Planning Advice service?	If yes, please include the reference number and the name(s) of any planning officers you have been in contact with
11. Authority employee/member	Declaration of whether you are a member of staff, an elected member, related to a member of staff, or related to an elected member of the Council	Not applicable
12. Ownership certificates and agricultural land declaration	Confirmation as to whether you are the owner of the property - fill in the appropriate certificate	Certificate A – you are the owner and the land is not used for agricultural purposes Certificates B, C, and D – you are the owner of the land but the land is wholly/partly in agricultural use.
13. Declaration	Confirmation that you have submitted all necessary documents, and entered correct information	Ask yourself: Are my contact/address details correct? Have I described the work I want to do? Have I submitted the existing and proposed plans? (Floor plans/elevations/roof) Do my plans have scale bars? Have I completed a Design and Access statement? Are there any other documents I need to submit? (see website)