Making a planning application - Print version

Making a planning application

The benefits of applying online include:

• Immediate delivery and acknowledgement
• Savings on postage and printing costs
• Online help when completing applications
• Online record of your applications
• Online payment

If you prefer, you can complete your application form online and send in supporting documents and fees by post.  

Please note a planning application cannot be progressed until all the information and the fee have been received.

Please make sure you have read the national requirements [http://planningguidance.communities.gov.uk/blog/guidance/making-an-application/validation-requirements/national-information-requirements/] and local requirements [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/110/planning_applications/1337/planning_application_checklist_-_supporting_information] and submit all the information with your application.

Complete and submit the planning application form from the Planning Portal website [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/apply]

How much will my planning application cost?

Every application must be accompanied by the correct fee. The Government sets the Planning Application Fees for the country.

Please be careful to check that your proposal does require planning permission and that the fee you pay is correct as any refunds are subject to a £35 administration fee.

Calculate your fee [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/fee-calculator]

Information we need with your planning application

For every application it is important that you give us all the correct information and plans and make sure that the right certificates are completed. To help you check what information and plans may be needed for your application we have produced a planning application checklist [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/110/planning_applications/1337/planning_application_checklist_-_supporting_information].

The validation checklist [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5572/planning_validation_checklist] sets out details of both national and local requirements for the different types of information you should give when sending in a planning application.

Please read the advice carefully, as failure to give the right information will make your submission invalid until all the information has been received.

Lawful Development Certificates

If you want to be certain that the existing use of a building is lawful for planning purposes, or that your proposal does not require planning permission, you should apply for a Lawful Development Certificate [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/lawful-development-certificates] (LDC).

It is not compulsory to have an LDC but Coventry City Council will no longer provide written advice on whether a proposal requires planning permission. So, if it is important for you to have that clarification, you should make a formal application.  

The LDC process can also be used if you want to confirm that the current use of a property is lawful.

You will need to make an application for a Lawful Development Certificate if you want to confirm the current use of a premises. You can search for planning permissions [/planningappsearch] or use our online map [/info/110/planning_applications/1333/online_planning_map].

Please be aware that planning permission does not always confirm the use of a premises or site as it may not have been implemented or the use may have changed since planning permission was given.

For further information on making an application please look at the Planning Portal guidance [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects].

Change of use/flexible change of use

What is a change of use?

Sometimes you can change a property's use without needing planning permission.

If you would like the Planning team to confirm that the proposed use does not need planning permission then you will need to make an application for a Lawful Development Certificate [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/lawful-development-certificates].

You can search for historic planning permissions [/planningappsearch]or use our online map [/info/110/planning_applications/1333/online_planning_map] to research the planning history of a site or property.

Please be aware that planning permission does not always confirm the use of a premises or site as it may not have been implemented or the use may have changed since planning permission was given.

Please refer to the Government's planning guidance [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required] if you would like further advice.

Flexible change of use

What is a flexible use?

Some changes of use can be 'flexible' and run for two years.

Under Part 4 Class D of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/made](as amended), premises where the use currently falls within class A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, D1 and D2 uses will be allowed to change use for a single period of up two years to A1, A2, A3 and B1 uses.

How do you notify us of a change of use?

Apply for a temporary change of use [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/Notification_of_temporary_change_of_use___Class_D]

There are certain conditions that you will need to satisfy before you can start.

1. The developer has to tell us the date the site will begin being used for one of the flexible uses, and what use that will be, before the use begins. (You cannot request a flexible use allowance where the use has already started)
2. At any given time during the two year flexible period the use can change to another use within the flexible categories by submitting a further notification, but can only have one flexible use at any time.
3. The site will retain its original use for the purposes of the Use Class Order and will revert to the previous lawful use at the end of the 2 year period.
4. The area that can be changed under this temporary change of use must be less than 150m2
5. Following the period of two years no further flexible uses can be applied for.
6. Please complete the temporary flexible use request form and return to planning this will help you give us all the information we need to register your flexible use. 

What happens when the temporary period ends?

Once the temporary period ends (two years from the date you notify us) you must either apply for planning permission to permanently change the use of the premises or return to the last lawful use. You can only use the flexible use once on a premises.

Can I make other changes to the property?

Any alterations to the property (for example new shop fronts, advertisements etc.) may need planning permission/advert consent and you should get advice before taking any action.

Coventry City Council validation checklist

View our validation checklist and supporting information [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/110/planning_applications/1337/planning_application_checklist_-_supporting_information].