View the North Norfolk Local Validation Requirements List

The Local Validation List provides information on the supporting documents that must be submitted when making a planning application.

Local Validation List 2025 to 2027

The Local Validation List provides information on the supporting documents that must be submitted when making a planning application. The list sets out the information that will be required and in what circumstance that information is needed.

Paragraph 45 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF December 2024) requires local planning authorities to publish a list of their information requirements for applications for planning permission. These requirements should be kept to the minimum and reviewed at least every two years. Local planning authorities should only request supporting information that is relevant and necessary to the application.

This local list is designed to provide clarity for applicants and agents about the required documents needed for submission, depending on the size, scale and complexity of the application. This will help make sure you know what is required to support their proposal to validate a planning application and allow a decision to be made as quickly as possible within the statutory time limit.

Following a period of public consultation between 16 October 2024 and 27 November 2024, the approved list of Local Validation requirements comes into effect from 1 January 2025.

The Local Validation List consists of the matrix and the guidance document.

Using the Local Validation List matrix

The Local Validation List 2025 to 2027 matrix is the document to help quickly identify which Local Validation List requirements may apply.

Local Validation List 2025 to 2027 matrix

Along the top rows of the matrix are a list of 12 different application types. The types of applications which are subject to the Local Validation List requirements are:

A     Householder Application

B     Full Planning Permission

C     Outline Planning Permission

D     Reserved Matters

E     Listed Building Consent

F     Advertisement Consent

G     Permission in Principle

H     Technical Details Consent

I      Non-Material Amendment Application

J      Variation of Condition Application

K     Change of Use Only

L     Discharge of Condition

Along the left-hand side of the matrix is a list of National Validation Requirements. After that is a list of the 54 Local Validation Requirements, numbered 1 to 54, for ease of reference.

Where a Local Validation Requirement is likely to be needed for each application type, there will be a tick symbol.

Where a Local Validation Requirement is not likely to be needed, there will be a 'not required' symbol.

Using the Local Validation List guidance

Once the Local Validation Requirements are identified for the proposed application type, the next step is to use the Local Validation List 2025 to 2027 guidance document.

Local Validation List 2025 to 2027 guidance

For each of the 54 Local Validation Requirements, the guidance document sets out the precise details and circumstances when a document is required. For example, it might only be required for major developments or development in certain areas. More detailed guidance is provided on what the document should include for each requirement. This may also include appropriate website and document links, which can help you know what is expected to be submitted as part of the Local Validation requirements.

Guidance document for Householder Planning Applications

A large number of householder planning applications are submitted without the services of a planning agent.

The Council is producing a guidance document called 'Householder Planning Application Guidance Notes', which will be available in February 2025. Once completed, we will update this page and provide a link to the document

Identifying relevant constraints affecting a site

Site-specific constraints will influence the types of documents needed to support a planning application.

If you want to identify constraints that may affect a piece of land, and which might impact national or local validation requirements, please use our online mapping tool.

For further guidance on using the online mapping tool, please see the Planning Constraints Checking Tool User Guide.

Local Validation Requirements exceptions

There may be occasions where an applicant or agent considers that a Local Validation Requirement does not apply to a particular application type, despite it being on the list of document requirements. In those circumstances, you should include a cover letter, clearly listing the relevant Local Validation Requirement document name in bold, and then briefly explaining why you consider that the local requirement does not apply in that circumstance.

Based on the evidence provided, the Council will either agree that a Local Validation Requirement is not required, or will go back to the applicant if further clarification is needed. 

Process

If there is a disagreement about the need for a Local Validation requirement, then the Local Planning Authority will do the following:

1. Apply proportionality to the issue. Information should not be requested purely for the sake of information.
2. Consider whether the requested information is:
   • relevant
   • necessary
   • material to the application in question
3. Consider whether the application could be validated in the absence of the information. If the lack of information prevents a positive application decision being made, the decision is made based on the documents originally submitted which may lead to a decision of refusal.