Planning checklists - householder application

View the Planning Portal's guidance on how to correctly fill in your householder application form.

Use the 'Householder planning consent' application form from the Planning Portal.

Fill in all relevant parts of the form.

Sign and date the application form before you submit it.

If you cannot submit your application online, download copies of all application forms from the Planning Portal website.

Fill in the correct certificate or notice to confirm who owns the application site:

• certificate A for sole ownership and no agricultural tenants
• certificate B if you know who the owner or agricultural tenants are, or if you share the ownership with others and know them (you also need to complete notice 1)
• certificate C if you are not the owner but know some of them or if you share ownership and know some of the other owners (you also need to complete notice 1 and complete notice 2)
• certificate D if you do not know any of the owners or you're an owner but do not know any of the owners or tenants (you also need to complete notice 2)

The CIL is a charge we set on development. We use the money to deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in Southwark. You must submit CIL information for all application types.

Make sure you:

• complete and submit the CIL additional information requirement form 1
• complete and submit all other CIL related requirements if relevant
• include colour-coded plans and additional CIL forms if relevant, which are listed in our further guidance on what to submit for CIL

Refer to the Planning Portal guidance on what CIL forms to submit. 

Policy which requires this

The Community Infrastructure Levy.

Check guidance by the Greater London Authority on the requirements of a fire safety strategy. Your strategy should include:

• name and title of who wrote and approved the planning application's fire safety information, with a clear statement describing their competence, including relevant qualifications and experience
• information under each part of London Plan Policy D12 (A); this should be specific and relevant to the proposed development
• the relevant safety design codes and standards and how these make sure the proposed development achieves the highest standards of fire safety proportionate to the size and nature of the development 

Submit a Reasonable exception form if the application:  

• creates no additional dwellings or commercial units and
• does not provide a new lift and
• does not change external materials and
• does not change internal or external communal areas that form part of the evacuation strategy for the property

Policy which requires this

London Plan 2021 Policy D12 (A) and (B)

Submit a plan of the site showing the application site and its surrounding area.

Make sure you:

• scale plans at 1:1,250 or 1:2,500 and include a scale bar on each plan, on A4 or A3 paper size
• use an up-to-date base map
• show roads or buildings on land adjoining the application site (labelling at least 2 roads)
• outline the application site clearly in red: this must include all land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings
• outline any additional land under the ownership of the applicant in blue if it immediately adjoins the proposed area

Submit a site plan showing the development, its boundaries and on-site buildings.

Make sure you:

• scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 on A4 or A3 paper size (unless a different scales is required)
• include a scale bar and north arrow
• clearly label and number all immediately adjoining buildings and all main roads surrounding the site
• outline in red the property and all land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings
• outline in blue any other land within your control that is close to or adjoining the application site

The drawings should show the floorplan now and after the proposed changes.

Make sure you:

• submit an individual floor plan for each floor of the building
• show any proposed buildings (including extensions and outbuildings) in context with neighbouring buildings

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policies P13, P14, P15, P56.

The drawings should show the building's outside now and after the proposed changes. 

Make sure you:

• submit an individual elevation drawing for the front, back, and both sides of the building
• show any proposed buildings (including household extensions and outbuildings) in context with neighbouring buildings

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policies P13, P14, P15, P56.

You must submit cross-section drawings of your current and proposed development if you are:

• altering ceiling or roof heights
• doing basement works
• adding a roof extension
• making changes to ground levels, such as sunken patios or decking

The drawings must show the height and size of the building stories and its internal features. 

Make sure you:

• scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 on A4 and A3 paper size
• include a scale bar on each plan
• include a unique reference number on each drawing
• include written dimensions, especially for proposed extensions
• include measurements of ceiling heights, especially for loft and basement conversions
• label any living space with a ceiling height of less than 2.3m

Submit roof plans if you are making changes to an existing property such as adding an extension, roof lights or new outbuildings. 

Make sure you:

• scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 on A4 and A3 paper size 
• include a scale bar on each plan
• include a unique reference number on each drawing
• include written dimensions, especially for proposed extensions
• include details of materials used in the development

Submit a spot levels and gradients plan if you plan to make changes in the ground level compared to neighbouring properties. Often this plan is used when a property is being converted to provide disabled access.

Make sure you:

• scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 on A4 and A3 paper size 
• include a scale bar on each plan
• include a unique reference number on each drawing
• label all spot levels and gradients
• include neighbouring properties if relevant

If you submit a planning application for a property in a conservation area, you must write a design and access statement. It must include details about: 

• site safety
• site security
• site accessibility
• the relationship between the proposed buildings and their surroundings 

Read more about design and access statements.

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policy P13

You must provide a heritage statement if your property is in or close to a:

• conservation area
• listed building
• historic park or garden
• scheduled ancient monument

This makes sure that development protects and enhances heritage assets.

Read more about our heritage statements.

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policies P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, P20, P21, P23, P24, P25, and P26.

Submit an assessment if your development will cut light to neighbouring properties.

Follow our guidance on residential design standards and the Building Research Establishment's good practice guide.

Make sure you:

• show the daylight and sunlight tests on submitted drawings
• submit a report to confirm the final daylight and sunlight values achieved by any proposal in a restricted setting
• get a qualified professional to prepare the assessment evidence following BRE guidance for major and complex minor applications

Policy which requires this 

Southwark Plan 2022 policy P55

Submit an archaeological desk-based assessment:

• where your proposed groundworks are within an archaeological priority area
• if you're building new basements, extensions to basements or other extensive groundworks

Check Southwark Maps to see if your development address is in an archaeological priority area. Turn on the 'conservation' map layer and then add your address.

You must determine the archaeological interest and potential of the site, and assess the impacts of the proposed development.

Use our heritage guidance to help your assessment.

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policy P23.

Submit a tree survey or arboricultural impacts assessment for applications:

• involving the pruning or removal of existing trees
• where a tree is on or close to where you are developing
• where you are excavating the foundations of a building and a tree is close by
• where you are installing service utility runs close to trees

You'll need to appraise the quality of existing trees on the site. You also need to identify protection measures during construction. Read more about how we protect trees in Southwark.

The assessment must be prepared by a named project arboricultural consultant, and it should:

• provide tree retention and removal plans
• identify root protection areas on proposed layout plans

ensure the assessment complies with the British Standards BS5837, BS3998 and BS8545, and Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) guidance

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policies P59 and P61

You need to submit cycle parking drawings if your application results in:

• an increase in the number of bedrooms in your home
• subdivision of your home
• conversion of your home into houses in multiple occupation.

This is to make sure high-quality cycle parking is provided in Southwark. And, to encourage sustainable travel for all new and existing developments.

Submit plans for both short-stay, visitor and long-stay cycle parking or stores.

For short-stay and visitor parking, you must show the full extent of the Sheffield-style bicycle stand provision. This includes the context of the site and public roads.

For long-stay cycle stores, you must show the placement of all stand types, including:

• dimensions of the store
• distance between parking stands
• aisle widths
• access point width
• floor to ceiling height
• clear head room
• width of store door

Read the London Cycling Design Standards for more information.

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policy P53.

Submit a basement impact assessment if your application is for a new or extended basement.

Use our residential design guidance to help your assessment.

The assessment should be prepared by a self-certified engineer or geologist. They must be suitably qualified and a member of a relevant professional body.

The assessment must evaluate the direct and indirect implications of the proposed basement development.

It should include:

• a floor plan
• section drawing
• details of the basement ceiling height
• access points
• details of roof lights

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policies P14 and P68.

The assessment must be prepared by a suitably qualified acoustician, detailing: 

•  noise exposure categories
• associated impact and mitigation measures
• layout, design and insulation 

Read government guidance on what you should include in a noise assessment. 

Policy which requires this

Southwark Plan 2022 policy P56, P66.