Making an online planning application

Most applications require more information than can be provided by the application form alone. This additional information is provided as supporting documents and is required so that local planning authorities (LPAs) can evaluate the proposal fully.  The documents required will vary depending on the application type and the LPA you are applying to.

When you reach the file upload section, upload your files first. You will then need to select a document type and add a description (if required) for each file, so the system can check that your application meets the requirements. You can also upload additional supporting documents if they help to explain your proposal. 

Watch the step-by-step video to learn about uploading supporting documents.

Read our guidance detailing the different types of supporting documents and why they are required.¹

Mandatory documents

The local planning authority (LPA) will not be able to process your application unless all the mandatory supporting documentation has been provided.

The system will not allow you to submit your application unless at least one attachment (or alternative submission method) is supplied for each mandatory item in the Supporting Documents section.

There are two levels of mandatory documents, national and local:

• National – The application service will tell you what mandatory documentation you need to provide in support of your application.

• Local – The LPA will have produced a list (usually available from a link in the left-hand side panel on the supporting documents screen called ‘Find out about local level document requirements’) which details any specific documentation that is required to accompany the application, in addition to the national requirements. You will need to tick the box to indicate you have reviewed and understood the local requirements.

For further details of the mandatory documents, including design and access statements, please refer to the Planning Practice Guidance section on validation requirements².

Optional documents

You can also attach any other relevant documentation which you think will help the LPA decide on the application.

Please note: You should not attempt to submit additional applications by supplying completed PDF application forms as supporting documents to another application.

Every application needs to be submitted separately, regardless of submission method.

Attaching plans and drawings

Although not a legislative requirement, it is recommended that all drawings include a scale bar, key dimensions, the direction of North, original paper size and scale (e.g. 1:200 at A3) clearly marked on them.

While not compulsory, submitting plans and drawings on A3 will help the LPA process your application more efficiently. For example, consider placing fewer elevations on smaller page sizes, even if this means submitting more documents. We would also recommend only using colour where necessary as this can greatly increase file sizes.

Read guidance on file types, accepted characters, and size limits for supporting documents³.

Supporting documents best practice

Follow best practice to help the LPA process your application more efficiently:

• Portable Document Format (PDF) is a trusted and reliable open file format used to convert virtually any document into an easily readable, industry standard format. Converting, or scanning original drawing files into PDF format reduces the original file size, while preserving the information.
• Please ensure that the files are orientated correctly. The file should be saved with the orientation it should be viewed in, landscape or portrait.
• Where possible, use an A3 size for your plans and elevations (rather than reducing the original document down to A3), this saves time and costs for the LPA if printed copies are required for consultation.
• Make sure you always clearly state the original sheet size and drawing scale, include a scale bar and key dimensions which will enable your drawing to be scaled accurately on-screen at any size.
• We recommend that documents are submitted at their original sizes. This ensures that the LPA can take accurate measurements from them. If this is not possible, clearly state the original size, scale and reduced size (e.g. Scale 1:500 at A2 original size, reduced to A3). Also ensure that annotations and other text are legible at the reduced size. If the reduced size does not meet the LPA’s needs, they may ask you to provide the original version.
• When using compressed file formats (e.g. jpg, pdf, avi, wmv) you should ensure that the document is of high enough quality and resolution, otherwise you may be asked to resubmit it.
• Do not use .exe, .zip or other archive formats as these are commonly identified by security software as high risk and may not be transferred to the LPA correctly.

Please note: The LPA cannot register an application until all supporting documentation has been received. Therefore, we recommend submitting everything online wherever possible, rather than sending some information by post, to avoid any delays in the registration of your application.

With the exception of the applicant(s) contact details (telephone numbers and email addresses), all the information you provide on the application form and in any supporting documents may be published on the LPA website. We recommend removing these details, including signatures, from supporting documents before uploading files.

Common questions

• I want to send files by post; do I still need to upload any information in the supporting documents section?⁴
• What details and specifications are there for supporting documents?⁵
• How do I upload a document type that is not listed? ⁶
  

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/supporting-document-types
2. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-application
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/making-an-online-application/supporting-documents-types-characters-and-limits
4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/i-want-to-send-everything-by-post-do-i-still-need-to-upload-any-information-in-the-supporting-documents-section
5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/what-details-and-specifications-are-there-for-supporting-documents
6. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/how-do-i-upload-a-document-type-that-is-not-listed-in-the-dropdown-menu