Do you need Planning Permission?
If you have not already done so, do check that you need Planning Permission for the works you propose. Some types of development do not need planning permission. The Planning Portal has a wide range of guidance, from common householder projects to commercial projects.
You will need to apply for planning permission for most major changes to buildings or a change of use.
It is your responsibility to find out if you need planning permission or not.
If you are unsure after reviewing the information available on the Planning Portal, you can submit an application for a Certificate of Lawful Use Proposed (CLUP). Please see details below.
Making a Planning Application
Before you make your application, make sure you have everything you need. There will be a core set of information you will need to provide to us, to enable us to register and validate your Planning Application. This information will be found in the ‘Validation Guidance’ and the relevant ‘Validation Checklist’.
Validating the Planning Application
When a Planning Application is submitted to us it initially passes through a validation check. Validation is the process undertaken by the Council to check that planning applications are complete at the point of submission and include all relevant supporting information. Validation is concerned only whether an application has been correctly made, it is not assessing the acceptability of a planning proposal at this preliminary stage.
Validation Checklists
In order to assist the process of validation, Local Validation Checklist requirements have been created. These were updated in March 2024.
It is important that you take note of the relevant validation requirement, because we will check each submission against the list of required documents and plans as set out in the relevant Validation Checklist and Validation Guidance document.
We ask you to submit a completed copy of the ‘Validation Checklist Form’ with your application. This demonstrates to us that you have considered the requirement to provide the documents detailed on the list. If the correct documents or plans are not provided without adequate explanation, your application is unlikely to be validated and you will be required to supply any missing information before we proceed. If this is not provided within 1 month of us notifying you of the missing information, then the application will be returned to you, and you may be charged an administration fee.
For details of what you need to submit, please select and review:
- The Validation Checklist Matrix
- The Validation Guidance document
- The Validation Guide Appendix 1 - Ecology and Biodiversity Checklist
- Planning Portal Guidance on Plan and Drawing Quality
- The relevant Validation Checklist Form from the list below.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Please note, that from 12th February 2024, there may be a requirement to provide additional information with your application, in regard to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
The requirement for mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of at least 10% will be sought as part of the planning process 'Major' developments and for 'small sites'.
There are some exemptions and if you feel an exemption should apply, you will need to address this in your application. Exemptions include:
- Householder applications (for the extension of a property)
- Self-build and custom build applications, provided
- it consists of no more than 9 dwellings,
- it is on a site that has an area no larger than 0.5 hectares,
- it consists exclusively of dwellings that are self-build or custom house-builds.
- Biodiversity gain sites
- Developments undertaken for the purpose of fulfilling the BNG planning condition for another development.
- Developments below the threshold
- A development that’s below the threshold means that it does not impact a priority habitat and impacts less than:
- 25 square metres (5m by 5m) of habitat
- 5 metres of linear habitats such as hedgerows
- A development that’s below the threshold means that it does not impact a priority habitat and impacts less than:
Further information can be found on GOV.UK on BNG and the requirements for your planning application and in the biodiversity net gain planning practice guidance.
Habitat Banks
Landowners or brokers interested in establishing a habitat bank within the Cherwell District should make initial contact with ecology@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.
Validation Checklist Forms
Select the category of application below, to access and download the information and Checklist Forms.
Householder Development (extensions, outbuildings)
Householder development (extensions etc)
Householder Development (New Accesses or Dropped Kerbs)
If you wish to create a new access to a road from your property, or install a dropped kerb, there are two things you need to do.
1. Check whether the road to which the access or dropped kerb is to be installed is a 'Classified' or 'Trunk' road. This information is available on the Oxfordshire County Council highways register.
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If the road is a Classified or Trunk road, then the works will by default, require Planning Permission.
Please review the Validation Checklist Form for an Access or Dropped Kerb and submit your application for Planning Permission on the Planning Portal using the FULL Planning Application Form.
2. If the road is NOT a Classified or Trunk road then you will need to complete a Vehicle Access Enquiry Form. The form is designed to help you give us the information we need to enable us to tell you whether the work will require Planning Permission or not.
- You will need to provide confirmation that the road is not a Classified or Trunk road AND confirm whether the work is associated with any other improvements, such as the laying or improving of hardstanding, widening of a wall or fence opening to improve access, or any other alteration or improvement to the property. We will use this information to help us assess whether there is any other reason why you might require Planning Permission for the work.
When we receive your Form, we will aim to respond within 10 working days.
If we advise that you require Planning Permission, please review the Validation Guidance at the top of this page and also the Validation Checklist Form for an Access or Dropped Kerb.
When you are ready, please submit your application for Planning Permission on the Planning Portal using the FULL Planning Application Form.
If we advise you that you DO NOT require Planning Permission, you will still need to seek approval to implement the works from Oxfordshire Highways Authority.
They will require proof that you have made the enquiries as set out above and will require a copy of our response to you before they give you final permission to create the access or drop the kerb.
They have their own procedure you will need to follow (regardless as to whether we say you need Planning Permission or not.
More details, including fees and their application form can be found on the Oxfordshire Highways dropped kerbs webpage.
Residential Development (new houses)
Non-Residential (commercial development)
Less than 1000m2 / 1.0 hectare
More than 1000m2 / 1.0 hectare
Lawful Development Certificates (CLUE/CLUP)
Lawful Development Certificate – Existing
Lawful Development Certificate – Proposed
Other Application Types
Removal/Variation/Discharge of Condition
Tree Works (see also - Validation Guidance from the Tree Officers Association and Planning Portal Guidance Note for Works to Trees
Making the Application
Once you have everything you need, head to the Planning Portal to make your planning application online. This is the quickest way to get your application registered.
Should you not wish to do this, you can download the relevant Planning Application Form and submit by email or by post. We will then contact you for payment.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Depending on your proposed application, you may also be required to address Biodiversity Net Gain. Please review the requirement and submit the relevant information with your application. Failure to provide information will result in your application being invalid.
District Licence and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) - Users of the District Licence scheme can also benefit from the integrated Biodiversity Net Gain package managed by NatureSpace and the Newt Conservation Partnership. More information on this can be found on the Naturespace website.
Useful Links and addresses