Prepared For Submission

Helping homeowners get their planning application information organised, checked and ready before it goes to the council.

A planning application is not just a set of drawings. For the council to accept and assess your proposal, the submission needs to include the right drawings, forms, certificates, ownership information, site details and supporting documents.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) helps homeowners get their planning information organised before submission, so the application has a much better chance of being validated smoothly and reviewed without avoidable delays.

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Why Submission Preparation Matters

Many planning delays start before the application is even assessed.

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An application may be held up if:

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• the wrong application type has been selected

• the location plan or site plan is missing

• the drawings do not show enough information

• ownership certificates have not been completed correctly

• the proposal needs additional reports or supporting statements

• the local council’s validation requirements have not been checked

• the fee, form or supporting documents do not match the application

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PAS helps bring the submission information together in a more organised way.

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What Does “Prepared For Submission” Mean?

Prepared for submission means making sure the core planning information is ready before the application is sent to the local planning authority.

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This can include checking or helping organise:

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• existing and proposed drawings

• location plans and block plans

• planning application forms

• ownership certificates

• agricultural holding certificates where required

• design and access statements where needed

• heritage, conservation or listed building information

• supporting planning statements

• photographs or site information

• local validation requirements

• the correct planning application route

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The aim is not to overcomplicate the process. The aim is to make sure the application is presented clearly, professionally and with the right information from the start.

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Drawings, Forms And Supporting Information

For many household projects, the drawings are the main part of the submission. These may include existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, roof plans, sections and site/block plans.

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However, the drawings are only part of the picture.

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The application also needs the correct forms and certificates. These confirm details such as the applicant, the site, ownership, the type of development and whether anyone else needs to be notified.

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PAS can help homeowners understand what needs to be included and where additional information may be required.

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Local Validation Requirements

Each council can have its own local validation requirements.

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This means two similar projects in different areas may not always need exactly the same supporting documents. A house extension, replacement windows, change of use, listed building proposal, HMO application or retrospective planning application may all require different levels of detail.

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PAS helps identify these issues early, especially where the property is:

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• in a conservation area

• listed or close to a listed building

• affected by Article 4 directions

• in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

• subject to previous planning conditions

• part of a flat, maisonette, commercial unit or mixed-use building

• affected by access, parking, overlooking or design concerns

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A Better Starting Point For The Council

A well-prepared submission makes it easier for the planning officer to understand the proposal.

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It should clearly show:

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• what exists now

• what is being proposed

• how the proposal affects the site

• how it relates to neighbouring properties

• whether planning policy issues have been considered

• whether any specialist documents are needed

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This does not guarantee planning approval, but it does give the application a stronger starting point.

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Common Projects We Can Help Prepare

PAS can help organise planning submissions for many types of projects, including:

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• house extensions

• loft conversions

• garage conversions

• new build houses

• garden buildings

• replacement windows

• listed building works

• changes of use

• HMOs

• short let and Airbnb planning issues

• demolition

• property division

• retrospective planning applications

• outline planning applications

• commercial and mixed-use proposals

• solar panels, gates, fences, driveways and drop kerbs

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Support Before You Submit

Some homeowners already have drawings and simply need help understanding whether the application package is complete.

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Others need drawings, planning advice, supporting statements or a clearer view of what the council is likely to expect.

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PAS can help at either stage.

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With over 40 years’ experience in residential design, planning and property-related consultancy, we understand that the right preparation can save time, reduce confusion and help avoid avoidable validation problems.

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Ready To Prepare Your Application?

If you are planning to submit a planning application, it is worth getting the information organised before it goes to the council.

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PAS can help you understand what is needed, what may be missing and what supporting information should be prepared.

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Tell Us What You Need and we will help you take the next step towards a properly prepared planning submission.