Consultation: Planning validation checklist

Introduction

Dartmoor National Park Authority is the Local Planning Authority (LPA) for Dartmoor. We deal with all applications that require planning permission and other statutory consents relating to development and trees. The Government sets out the procedure when the public needs to apply for permission to undertake development, works to listed buildings, within Conservation Areas and to protected trees.

The majority of applications are made through the Planning Portal; the gateway to our planning service. Part of that process is to ensure the correct forms, fees and sufficient supporting information are provided at the outset to make the application valid. We can then move to the next stage of considering the relative merits of the application against National and local planning policy. It is important to provide the right information when submitting your application. Over 80% of current applications prove to be invalid at submission – we need your help to improve that so we can focus our resources on reaching good planning decisions in a timely manner. Getting the validation guidance right will help you get the best results, in the quickest possible timeframe.

Validation is the process undertaken by the Authority to check that new planning applications are complete and ready to be processed . The requirements are set out in Planning Legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and detailed in the National Planning Policy Guidance Notes (NPPG).

At this point we do not judge whether proposals are acceptable in planning terms.

The Government requires all LPA’s to review their validation requirements every 2 years. This consultation reflects our latest edition, where we are keen to ensure we have a guide which, not only sets out all national and local requirements, but in an easy to use and clear format for all users. As a regular user of our service, we are keen to get your views.

This guide explains the two tiers of information required to make a successful application - firstly, national, mandatory, requirements applicable to all applications and secondly, localised information related to individual types of development.

The purpose of this guide is to make sure we have all the information we need to;

Ensure your application is accepted first time
Speed up the registration process
Reach good planning decisions in a timely manner
Provide certainty as to the information required for specific applications
Help you get your project from an idea to realisation in the quickest possible time
Be as efficient as possible in dealing with your request

The closing date for comments is Monday 23 December 2024 after which we will consider all responses and compile a report for consideration at the Dartmoor National Park Authority monthly meeting.

Once adopted, we will publish the new guide on our website for all to use. Planning applications received once the new local validation checklist is adopted will be expected to meet the requirements of the list