Full planning

Is full planning required see guidelines.

Information required for Full Planning application

Fill out a planning application form

• • Location Plan

  • Site Plan

  • Existing plan, elevations & section

  • Proposed plan, elevations & section

  • Roof plan

  • Land ownership outline in blue

  • Site outline in red

  • Appropriate Fee (Calculator Scotland) (Calculator England & Wales) (fees form Northern Ireland)

Information that may be required

• • SEPA (Environment agency) approval

  • Design and or access statement

  • Odour Management plan 

  • Fee to advertise the application in local press

What happens next

The way in which the council will deal with an application will depend on the type and size of the proposed development. Applications for smaller developments will normally be decided by the planning officer. More complex or controversial proposals are likely to be decided by councillors. Each council has prepared a 'scheme of delegation' setting out who is responsible for deciding different types of planning applications.

The law says that for national developments and for major developments which are 'significantly contrary to the development plan', the applicant and people who have made comments must get the opportunity to attend a hearing before a council committee, then a meeting of the full council will decide on the application.

In all cases the council must make decisions in line with the development plan unless 'material considerations' justify going against the plan.

A material consideration is a planning issue which is relevant to the application and can include national policy, comments by the public and by organisations the council has consulted, the design of the proposed development, and the effect of the plan on the environment. The council must decide how important these material considerations are.

Because the council need to consider all the relevant matters, there is no guarantee that development plan policies will be the deciding factor in every case. But councils will usually approve applications for development which are in line with the development plan.

When making a decision about an application, the council can:

• • grant planning permission without conditions;

  • grant planning permission with conditions; or

  • refuse planning permission.

Councils should usually make a decision on applications for local development in two months and for national or major development in four months. The time period for deciding an application begins from the date on which the council receives all the information needed by planning law.

Once the council has reached its decision, it will issue a decision notice unless the application is to be decided by Ministers. The council must also tell anyone who has made a comment on the application.

Building warrant may also be required see Building regulations