Planning application checklist - supporting information - Print version

Coventry City Council validation checklist

Coventry City Council’s Validation Checklist [/downloads/download/5572/planning_validation_checklist] was adopted on 7 May 2019 following a period of consultation. This has since been updated on 13 July 2021. This sets out both National and local requirements for the different types of information that need to be submitted with your planning application.

All applications should be submitted through the Planning Portal [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/] where there is a document size limit of 5Mb. If larger documents need to be submitted they should be provided through a cloud based transfer system. Any documents in excess of 10Mb should be split.

Plans and Planning Portal support

Most planning applications require a location plan and a site plan (also known as a block plan), to be submitted as supporting documents. Planning Portal information for purchasing these types of plans/planning maps [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/homepage/4/buy_a_planning_map].

For advice and support on completing your Planning Portal online application or if you have a query on how to use the Planning Portal website, please visit the Planning Portal Help Centre [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/help].

External wall cladding

External wall cladding is becoming a popular enhancement that many people consider for their homes. 

If the proposed solid wall insulation/cladding uses materials that are not similar to those used in the existing exterior of the property, planning permission will be required.

Planning permission will be required for cladding on any side of your house (not just the front).

You will be required to submit the following information to support any application made:

• Site location plan with the correct site edged red
• Block plan with the elevations to be changed highlighted
• An existing photograph and a proposed photo image of the elevation(s) to be changed. Drawn elevations would also be acceptable, however these would need to show the detail within the elevation(s) such as dentil course, headers, cills etc
• Either a photograph of the proposed cladding or a brochure identifying the cladding proposed to be used.
• A section through that shows the depth of the proposed cavity and the depth of the cladding
• A completed application form and the correct fee

Please also note that sometimes we may require extra information to validate your application. The case officer will contact you directly to discuss any further requirements if this is the case.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

Planning permission is needed when there will be more than 6 residents (individuals not a family) living together in a house.

Licence - homes in multiple occupation [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/hmo]

Air quality management

Making the whole city an air quality management area allows a more consistent approach to planning and air quality across the whole of Coventry and gives us more power to tackle problem areas and help improve the air quality.

When is an air quality assessment needed?

An air quality assessment is needed for all new build, conversion or change of use proposals within Coventry where planning permission would affect our air quality action plan; or where proposals will affect local air quality through an increase in pollution (such as changes in traffic, industrial processes etc). It is also needed when a development leads to new regular exposure of the public to poor air quality.

National air quality objectives do not apply to hospitals, schools or places of worship so no assessment will be needed at the planning stage. However, such proposals should be designed with air quality in mind and steps taken to reduce exposure to poor air quality.

We recommend you ask for advice from the Environmental Protection Team [/environmentalprotection] before making an application if you are not sure.

Documents

• Air quality Supplementary Planning Document [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5199/air_quality_supplementary_planning_document_spd]
• Good practice air quality planning guidance [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/34430/good_practice_air_quality_planning_guidance]

Conservation areas

We have declared 18 Conservation Areas [/info/511/conservation_areas/456/conservation_areas/3]. These are areas of special architectural or historical interest and where the character and appearance need to be protected or improved.

Archaeology

Coventry has a fantastic range of archaeological [/info/511/conservation_areas/456/conservation_areas] remains dating from the prehistoric period to the 20th century. So for most sites in the city centre it is likely that any development will need an agreed archaeological investigation before any work starts. This can also apply to other sites in the city where there are known historical settlements.

Article 4 Direction

We can remove or restrict the permitted development rights for a certain area. This means that a planning application is needed for some forms of development that would normally be allowed.

Below are the sites relating to Article 4 Directions [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/225/article_4_directions] in Coventry:

• Land at the corner of Washbrook Lane & Hawkes Mill Lane [/downloads/file/714/article_4_-_washbrook_lane]
• Land at Stoneleigh Road [/downloads/file/712/article_4_-_stoneleigh_road]
• Former Matrix Fletchamstead Highway [/downloads/file/709/article_4_-_matrix_churchill_car_park]
• United Reform Church Hawkes Mill Lane [/downloads/file/16776/article_4_-_united_reform_church_hawkes_mill_lane]
• Copsewood Grange and Lodge New Century Park Allard Way [/downloads/file/16780/article-4-copsewood-grange-and-lodge-new-century-park-allard-way]
• Black Horse 73 Spon End [/downloads/file/16779/article_4_-_black_horse_73_spon_end]
• 6 The Firs [/downloads/file/36102/article-4-land-at-6-the-firs]

Contaminated land

If a site has a history of industrial/commercial use or landfill, or is next to such a site, then any planning application will need at least a soil contamination desktop study (to include the possibility of gas migration). There may also need to be ground investigations, work to correct any problems, and further monitoring.

Further advice about contaminated land [/info/418/pollution_control-contaminated_land/173/land_pollution].

Flood risk

The Environment Agency has published maps indicating those sites which have been identified as flood risk zones [https://www.gov.uk/check-local-environmental-data].

Find out if your proposed planning application should be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment [https://www.gov.uk/flood-risk-assessment-standing-advice] and if so what that Flood Risk Assessment should contain.

Gas mitigation

There are three housing estates in the city where special gas protection measures have been put into place because they were built on former landfill sites.

If you live in one of these areas and want to extend your property at ground level or create a building that needs foundations, then you will need planning permission. You may only be able to build using certain construction techniques which do not disturb the protective membrane and you may have to carry out further gas protection measures.

The estates are:

• Coombe Park Estate
• Coombe Fields
• Land to the rear of Morrisons supermarket, Binley.

Listed buildings

There are over 400 statutorily listed buildings [/listedbuildings] in the city. These buildings are given special protection and you will have to apply for listed building consent (normally as well as planning permission) where works involve demolition, alterations or extensions which would affect the building's character.

Tree preservation order

We can place a preservation order on a single tree, a group of trees, an area, or a woodland. Such an order (with some exceptions) prevents any person from carrying out works on the tree without our permission.

If you have a question about the status of a tree or planned works to a tree, then you should contact the Tree Preservation Officer. You must include the exact location and TPO reference of the tree along with the specification of tree pruning which you propose.

Further information about Tree Preservation Orders [/info/508/tree_preservation_orders/1094/tree_preservation_orders_tpos].

Health and safety

The Health and Safety Executive [http://www.hse.gov.uk/](HSE) deals with factories and construction of premises. This ensures that safe and healthy working conditions are provided for all employees, the self-employed and members of the public visiting these premises. If you are having construction or refurbishment work done, you may need to notify the Health and Safety Executive and you may have other duties as well [http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/index.htm].

Secure by Design

We encourage all developers to use the principle of Secured by Design [http://www.securedbydesign.com/] (SBD) when developing any new scheme. The adoption of crime prevention measures at an early stage of development creates a safer, more secure and sustainable development.

However small your proposal we would always suggest that you consider the principles and advice as part of your scheme.

Ecology surveys and advice

Ecology and the natural environment play an important part in dealing with planning applications. You may be asked to send in an ecology report as part of your planning application.

Why we ask for the information, what you will need to do and how that information is used to decide your application:

• Ecology planning and development [http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/planningecology]
• Green Infrastructure [http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/greeninfrastructure]

For further general advice then please e-mail ecology@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:ecology@coventry.gov.uk]

Health and wellbeing

There is national guidance on Health, Wellbeing and Health Infrastructure [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/health-and-wellbeing] which you are encouraged to use when developing your planning application submission.

The Council is also in the process of developing a Health Impact Assessments SPD to support the Health and Wellbeing policy in the new Local Plan (HW1).

View the Draft Health Impact Assessment SPD [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/4951/draft_supplementary_planning_documents_spd]

If you need further advice please contact our Public Health Practitioner (Health in the Built Environment) e-mail: emily.stewart@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:emily.stewart@coventry.gov.uk?subject=Health%20in%20planning].

Discharge of condition - materials

If you have been asked to provide sample materials we would prefer them to be left on site where the officer can visit to inspect them, however if you need to bring them to our offices then you should bring them to One Friargate accompanied by written details including the planning reference number, site address, case officer and your contact details should we need to speak to you.

You will still need to complete the discharge of condition application form available online at the Planning Portal [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/how-to-apply/planning-permission-and-building-regulations-approval].

The application fee should be paid online. Cheques and cash cannot be accepted at One Friargate and you will need to make any payments at our Customer Service Centre Broadgate.

Tall buildings – materials detailing

Large commercial and tall buildings can be prominent and visible in the skyline from different locations around the City. Therefore it is important to ensure that the detailing of such buildings is of a high quality and considered at an early stage in the planning process.

Any applications for major development, in particular large commercial and tall buildings should be accompanied by full details of the materials that are proposed to be used. Such details should include the following:

• CGI images showing the development;
• Sample materials;
• Details of window frames (colour and materials) (at a scale of 1:10)
• Glazing details;
• Brick and mortar details;
• Details of any cladding to be used including colour/finish, fixing systems and joint details (at a scale of 1:10)
• Details of any roof top safety rail systems; and
• Details of any plant and enclosure.

Bat scoping self-assessment

Complete the Bat scoping self-assessment [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/en/service/bat_Scoping_Self_Assessment] as part of your planning application.