Checklists for planning applications

Checklist for certificates of lawfulness

Use this checklist if you are applying for a Certificate of Lawful Use where legal confirmation is required to demonstrate that an existing use, operation or activity which does not have, or did not require planning permission is lawful.

You should include:

  • plans and drawings which must show a North point, give a paper size (for example, A1, A3), and provide an appropriate Scale Bar indicating a minimum of 0-10 metres.
  • the correct fee
  • a Site Location Plan identifying the land to which the application relates. It should be based on an up-to-date map at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500. The site should be edged in red and sufficient roads and buildings should be identified. It must include all land necessary to carry out the development including access from a public highway, landscaping, car parking and open areas. Other land owned or controlled by the applicant should be edged in blue.
  • a Block Plan at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200 or 1:500 identifying the position of the development. The plan should include written dimensions of the development to the site boundaries and other existing buildings, access arrangements, public rights of way, position of trees, hard surfacing and boundary treatments.
  • evidence to verify and/or support the existing use or development
  • floor plans (1:50 or 1:100) where appropriate
  • elevations (1:50 or 1:100) where appropriate
  • a Community Infrastructure Levy Additional Information form for all applications for development of floor space (including residential extensions, for the creation of a new dwellings (of any size), or for the conversion of a new building no longer in use).

Use this checklist if you are applying for a Certificate of Lawful Use where legal confirmation is required to demonstrate that a proposed use or development which does not have planning permission is lawful.

You should include:

  • plans and drawings which must show a North point, give a paper size (for example, A1, A3), and provide an appropriate Scale Bar indicating a minimum of 0-10 metres.
  • the correct fee
  • a Site Location Plan identifying the land to which the application relates. It should be based on an up-to-date map at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500. The site should be edged in red and sufficient roads and buildings should be identified. It must include all land necessary to carry out the development including access from a public highway, landscaping, car parking and open areas. Other land owned or controlled by the applicant should be edged in blue.
  • a Block Plan at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200 or 1:500 identifying the position of the development. The plan should include written dimensions of the development to the site boundaries and other existing buildings, access arrangements, public rights of way, position of trees, hard surfacing and boundary treatments.
  • evidence to verify and/or support the existing use or development
  • existing and proposed floor plans (1:50 or 1:100) where appropriate
  • existing and proposed elevations (1:50 or 1:100) where appropriate

Further information

If you have any queries regarding the above requirements, you can contact the Validation Team by email at validation@swindon.gov.uk.

When you are sure that you have all the relevant information and drawings required, you are ready to apply for planning permission.

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