The Householder Application for Works or Extension to a Dwelling form should be used for proposals to alter or enlarge a single house, including works within the curtilage (boundary and garden) of a house. Proposals to alter or enlarge more than one house will require the submission of a full planning application.
The statutory determination period for this type of application is 8 weeks from the date the application is valid
Minor works do not always need planning permission – please refer to the Planning Portal guide before you apply.
Requirements
The list below details supporting documents that may need to be submitted as part of your application. Please refer to each section below in order to determine whether or not you need to submit it as part of your application.
The application form is available on the Planning Portal. To access it, sign in, select ‘start new application’, then select the desired application.
When required
Always required.
A completed form is always required (one copy of all application documents must be supplied if submitted by post).
What is required
Please ensure that you have completed every section of the application form before submitting. Where sections or questions are not relevant please state this on the form.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required (part of application form).
What is required
The relevant certificate must be completed, signed and dated (part of application form). Only one certificate should be completed.
- Certificate A should be completed if the applicant is the sole owner of the land to which the application relates or holds an unexpired lease with a term of 7 or more years remaining.
- Certificate B should be completed if the applicant is not the sole owner but knows the names and addresses of all the other owners.
- The notice to owners must also be completed and sent to all known owners.
- A copy of the notice must be sent with the application to the local authority.
- Certificate C should be completed if the applicant does not own all of the land to which the application relates and does not know the name and address of all of the owners.
- The notice to owners must be completed and sent to all known owners.
- Where the owner is unknown the notice to unknown owners needs to be published in a local newspaper.
- A copy of the notice must be sent with the application to the local authority.
- Certificate D should be completed if the applicant does not own all of the land to which the application relates and does not know the names and addresses of any of the owners.
- The notice to unknown owners needs to be published in a local newspaper.
- A copy of the notice must be sent with the application to the local authority.
When required
This is always required, unless covered by an exemption.
Common exemptions
- It is for alterations or extensions to a dwelling house for the benefit of a registered disabled person – please provide evidence from the DWP that the applicant is registered as being disabled.
What is required
Current national fees can be found on the Planning Portal.
- How to calculate fees
- Planning Portal's fee calculator
- Guidance: GOV.UK: Fees for planning applications
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required.
What is required
This must be an up-to-date Ordnance Survey-based location plan at an appropriate scale, usually 1:1250 or 1:2500. In the case of large sites other scales may be appropriate.
The plan must show:
- At least two named roads and all surrounding buildings or land (unless this would require a plan greater than a scale of 1:2500)
- The application site (the whole planning unit)
- A north point
- The scale clearly identified
The plan used should:
- Show OS Crown copyright
- Not to be copied from existing OS mapping, if using hand drawn maps such as standard streets
- Show the correct licence number if you wish to print or copy maps for applications
The application site boundary must be edged clearly with a red line. It should include all land necessary to carry out the proposed development - for example, land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscape, car parking and open areas around the building. A blue line should be drawn around any other land owned by the applicant, close to or adjoining the application site.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
May be required where:
- the proposed development involves the demolition of any exiting structures
- there are trees on site that may be impacted by the proposed development
What is required
Existing site layout plans to a recognised scale (1:100, 1:200 or 1:500 as appropriate).
The site Layout plan should show:
- the direction of north
- a scale bar or metric measurements
In addition, the site layout plan should show the following unless these would not influence or be affected by the proposed development:
- all the buildings, roads and footpaths on land adjoining the site including access arrangements
- all public rights of way crossing or adjoining the site (footpath, bridleway, restricted byway or byway open to all traffic)
- the position of all trees on the site, and those on adjacent land
- the extent and type of any hard surfacing
- boundary treatment including walls or fencing
- existing car parking and turning arrangements
- any existing bin and cycle stores
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required.
What is required
Proposed site layout plans to a recognised scale (1:100, 1:200 or 1:500 as appropriate).
The site layout plan should show:
- the direction of north
- a scale bar or metric measurements
In addition, the site layout plan should show the following unless these would not influence or be affected by the proposed development:
- all the buildings, roads and footpaths on land adjoining the site including access arrangements
- all public rights of way crossing or adjoining the site (footpath, bridleway, restricted byway or byway open to all traffic)
- the position of all trees on the site, and those on adjacent land
- the extent and type of any hard surfacing
- boundary treatment including walls or fencing
- existing car parking and turning arrangements
- any existing bin and cycle stores
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
May be required where:
- a site or site and surrounding land are at variable levels
- the proposal involves a roof extension or installation of rooflights or windows
What is required
Section drawings to show how proposals relate to existing ground levels or where ground levels outside the extension would be modified. Levels should also be taken into account in the formulation of design and access statements. The drawings should be drawn to an identified scale or show metric measurements. Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required.
What is required
Drawings showing the full existing floor layout plans to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required.
What is required
Drawings showing the full proposed floor layout plans to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.
Where applications involve the installation of mechanical and electrical building services plant or equipment such as flues, air handling units, air conditioning, extraction, air source heat pumps, combustion appliances, the position of these should be indicated.
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required.
What is required
Detailed drawings showing the existing elevations (the appearance of the property from all sides affected by the proposal) to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Always required.
What is required
Detailed drawings showing the proposed elevations (showing the proposal against existing building from all sides) to an appropriate scale, usually 1:100 and with a scale bar or metric measurements included.
Drawings must show the complete building, partial drawings are not acceptable.
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
Required only for complex roof structures.
What is required
The roof plan should show the shape of the roof at an appropriate scale, usually 1:50 or 1:100 and with a correct overall dimensions in metric measurements included.
Details such as the material, vents and their location should be shown.
Please ensure that all plans submitted as part of your application are accurately labelled and numbered.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
Interpretation and guidance notes
Roof lights should be indicated on floor plan.
When required
- Major development (defined as development of 10 or more dwellings (or 0.5 hectares for residential development where the number of dwellings is unknown) for the creation of more than a 1,000 sq m of floor space and where the site is greater than 1 hectare).
- Development in a designated area (World Heritage Site or conservation area) where the proposed development consists of either one or more dwellings or a building or buildings with floor space of 100 sq m or more.
- Applications for listed building consent.
What is required
A design and access statement should:
- Explain the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development
- Demonstrate the steps that have been taken to appraise the context of the development and how the design of the development takes that context into account in relation to the proposal
- Explain the policy adopted as to access and how policies relating to access in relevant development plan documents (DPDs) have been taken into account
- State what, if any, consultation has been undertaken on issues relating to access to the development and what account has been taken of the outcome of any such consultation
- Explain how specific issues which might affect access to the development have been addressed.
Statements accompanying applications for Listed Building Consent should, in addition to the above, show how they have taken account of:
- The special architectural or historic importance of the building
- The particular physical features of the building that justify its designation as a listed building
- The building's setting.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
When required
A site specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required the site is:
- In flood zone 2 or 3 including minor development and change of use
- More than 1 hectare in flood zone 1
- Less than 1 hectare in flood zone 1, including a change of use in development type to a more vulnerable class (for example from commercial to residential), where they could be affected by other sources of flooding such as surface water.
What is required
If a development is proposed in an area of flood risk (either fluvial or surface water), a site specific FRA should be undertaken.
This should:
- Include evidence that the Sequential Test and where necessary the Exception Test have been applied in the selection of the site for the development type.
- Take into account different types of flooding, for example fluvial, surface water and groundwater.
- Consider the risk of flooding arising from the proposed development as well as to the development site.
- Take into account the effect of climate change.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
- CLP Policy 32
- Cambridgeshire Flood and Water Supplementary Planning Document (2016)
- NPPF Chapter 14
- NPPG - Flood risk and coastal change
- Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2010)
- Cambridge and Milton Surface Water Management Plan (2011)
- Environment Agency website - information about maps depicting Flood Zones and surface water flood risk.
When required
Development affecting a heritage asset. Heritage assets are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes which are significant because of their historic interest.
Designated heritage assets include:
- World Heritage Site
- Scheduled Monument
- Listed Building
- Registered Park and Garden
- Conservation Area
For new development, consideration should be given to the potential of archaeological assets.
What is required
The level of information or investigation required to support a proposal that could impact on a heritage asset needs to be proportionate to the significance of the heritage asset and the potential impact of the works proposed. Pre-application meetings are strongly recommended.
As a minimum, statements will be required to identify heritage assets and demonstrate how proposals have preserved or enhanced their significance.
Applications for works to a heritage asset to address climate change should include the information set out in Policy 63 and its supporting text.
Source, policies and references
National validation requirement.
- CLP Policies 61, 62, 63 & Appendix G: Local heritage assets criteria and list
- NPPF Chapter 16
- NPPG - Conserving and enhancing the historic environment
- Listed building descriptions
- Conservation Area appraisals and management plans
- Suburbs and approaches studies
- Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record
- Historic England (2018) Energy efficiency and historic buildings: How to improve energy efficiency
- Further guidance on works to heritage assets to address climate change will be included.
When required
Noise and vibration generation
Where a proposed new development would generate noise or vibration including delivery and servicing and vehicle movements or traffic changes on local roads which may have an adverse impact on existing or planned uses (in particular noise sensitive uses such as residential, hospitals, nursing homes or schools).
Applications which involve the installation of mechanical and electrical building services plant or equipment such as flues, air handling units or air conditioning, extraction, air source heat pumps, combustion appliances etc.
New noise sensitive premises
Proposals for residential and other noise sensitive development close to existing sources of noise such as transport (road, rail and air) and industrial, commercial or business premises.
Where the operation of an existing or established business or community facility generating noise could have an unacceptable significant adverse effect on proposed new development (including changes of use) in its vicinity such as the introduction of new noise sensitive premises into an area e.g. residential ('agent of change principle').
What is required
Where necessary an acoustic (noise and vibration) assessment will be undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent acoustician or person, in accordance with the latest industry or Government best practice guidance and relevant British Standards publications.
The assessment shall detail the existing noise environment, the potential noise sources or activities associated with the development or the noise sources likely to affect any noise sensitive development. Details of the number of deliveries and the times when deliveries and servicing takes place.
The duration, scope, remit and content of the assessment or supporting information should be discussed and agreed in advance with the local planning authority before it is commissioned, but in any event must comply with relevant and up-to-date UK guidance and standards.
Source, policies and references
Local validation requirement.
- CLP Policy 35: Protection of human health from noise and vibration
- NPPF paragraphs 174, 185 & 187
- National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) - Noise
- Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE, March 2010)
- BS 4142:2014 +A1:2019- Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound
- BS 8233: 2014 - Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings
- ProPG: Planning & Noise, Professional Practice Guidance on Planning & Noise - New Residential Development, May 2017
- with supplementary documents 1: Planning and Noise Policy and Guidance and 2: Good Acoustic Design.
- IEMA Guidelines for Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, 2014
- World Health Organisation (WHO) 'Guidelines for Community Noise', 1999
- World Health Organisation (WHO) 'Night noise guidelines for Europe', 2009
- World Health Organisation (WHO) 'Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region' 2018
- Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) Acoustics - Planning Implication, New Guidance for 2015, Sport England Design Guidance Note
- Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD 2020
Interpretation and guidance notes
Not normally required but may be for heat pumps and similar.
When required
All scales of development.
What is required
A sustainability statement and checklist should outline the approach to:
- Adaptation to climate change
- Climate Change mitigation, including carbon reduction
- Water management
- Site waste management
- Use of materials
- Other issues including biodiversity and ecology; land, water, noise and air pollution; transport, mobility and access; health and wellbeing; and culture, heritage and the quality of built form, including the efficient use of land.
The statement should be integrated within the Design and Access statement so that it is clear that sustainable design and construction has been integrated into the overall design.
Source, policies and references
Local validation requirement.
- CLP Policy 28
- Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD 2020, particularly Appendix 1
When required
Sites carrying out demolition, building or engineering operations (including the excavation of foundations, any changes in level and service or utility runs) where these may affect trees both on-site, or on adjoining land.
What is required
As a minimum applicants should submit a tree survey for sites where trees are present on or adjacent to the site.
Applicants will be required to submit a full Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) in accordance with BS5837:2012, to include full BS schedule information where trees and or hedges are to be removed or likely to be impacted along with, required mitigation and areas for replacement tree planting.
Applicants will be required to submit an Arboricultural Method Statement in accordance with BS 5837 detailing all the methodologies required to successfully protect retained trees.
Applicants will be required to submit a woodland management plan where blocks of trees may become integral to the landscape and character of a new development.
Particular consideration should be given to veteran or ancient trees and hedgerows identified as 'important' under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.
Source, policies and references
Local validation requirement.
- CLP Policies 71, 58, 59
- And additional CLP policies 27, 31, 52, 60
- NPPF paragraphs 174 & 180
- Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) guidance
- BS5837
- BS3998
When required
Works to existing homes that require planning permission.
What is required
Residents will be required to submit a home energy questionnaire identifying energy efficiency measures that have already been implemented in their existing home and identifying additional measures that will be carried out to improve the overall energy efficiency of the property. The Home Energy Questionnaire is set out in Appendix 4 of the Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD 2020.
Source, policies and references
Local validation requirement.
- CLP Policy 30
- Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD 2020 [PDF, 5.5MB] – paragraphs 3.2.8 to 3.2.13 and appendix 4