Planning application forms and checklists

Development Management Validation Checklist May 2025

Our Approach to Planning Validation

We want to make the planning application process easy for everyone. It aims to give the right amount of information so people can have their say on the application. We only ask for the information that is needed to support the application.

National and Local List Requirements

To apply for planning permission, you need to provide certain information. This information is split into two lists:

  • National List - this applies to all planning applications in England
  • Local List - this is specific to our area and is based on local policies and needs

We will check your application against these lists. If any important information is missing, we cannot register your application as valid.

How to Submit Your Application

We recommend you apply online using the Planning Portal.

If you cannot apply online, you can download and print the forms from the Planning Portal.

If you send your application by post or email, there will be a small fee to cover the extra costs.

National Validation Requirements

Application Form

You need to fill out the correct planning application form. Make sure to:

  • accurately describe the proposed development
  • answer all questions clearly
  • sign and date the form

Ownership Certificate

You must include a signed and dated Ownership Certificate A, B, C or D. This is a legal requirement of:

  • Section 65(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
  • Section 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (as amended)

The certificate shows who owns the land you want to develop. This includes:

  • land which gives access to the site from the public highway
  • where development abuts, crosses or overhangs the boundary with the adjoining land or property

For this purpose an owner is “anyone with a freehold interest or leasehold interest, the unexpired term of which is not less than 7 years”.

If you use Certificate B or C, you need to notify the landowners with one of the following notices:

Fee

You need to pay a fee for your application. You can find out the correct fee using the online fee calculator on the Planning Portal.

Location Plan

The location plan should:

  • be based on an up-to-date map
  • be scale 1:1250 or 1:2500 and scaled to A4 or A3
  • be clearly titled with a unique reference number
  • show at least two named roads if possible and surrounding buildings and properties
  • clearly mark the development site with a red line. This 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, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings.
  • mark any other land owned by the applicant near the site with a blue line

Other Plans

You might need to include other plans to show what you want to build. Check our Local Validation Checklist for details.

Local Validation Checklist

You need to include information with different types of planning applications. The information is shown in Wirral’s Local Validation Checklist:

Administration fee for applications returned invalid

If your application is invalid and you don't provide the missing information in time, we will return your application. We will keep 10% of the fee to cover our costs.

Supporting documents and guidance

Sustainable drainage

If your project is a major development, you need to complete a SuDS pro forma. This follows the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Heritage statements

If your project affects a Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II listed building, or a conservation area, you need to follow our Heritage Statement guidelines:

Health Impact Assessments

Policy WD 18 requires a Health Impact Assessment to be submitted for applications for major development, and other development likely to have a significant impact on health and well-being. 

The council is working on Wirral specific guidance, but in the interim suggests that developers use the NHS Health Impact Assessment template (HUDU (Healthy Urban Development Unit) Rapid Health Impact Assessment Tool self completion form), with supporting documents to assist completing the form available via HUDU Publications | London Healthy Urban Development Unit. It is understood that the NHS is currently updating the HUDU template to reflect recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Where appropriate, a bespoke HIA may be required on a case-by-case basis to address the health implications of proposals.

Privacy Notice

We care about your privacy. Please read our Development Management Privacy Notice before you apply for planning permission.