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- Local information requirements
Local information requirements
Select from the following links for more details of information that must be submitted with planning applications:
Affordable Housing Statement
When required?
When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire. When affordable housing is proposed.If the development is for housing within a key service centre (H1) and is for 2 or more dwellings.
What is required?
A written statement including a site plan showing the number of residential units and the mix of housing type eg affordable housing, local needs housing and any market housing. For each unit, the number bedrooms and the floor space of habitable areas should be given. If different levels or types of affordability or tenure are proposed for different units this should be clearly and fully explained. The affordable housing statement should also include details of the mechanism that will be used to secure affordability in perpetuity for local people at an affordable cost eg involving a registered social landlord such as a Housing Association or Trust.
Policies and Guidance
Agricultural Buildings Justification Statement
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When an agricultural building is proposed within an existing group of farm buildings.
What is required?
A statement clearly indicating why a building/extension of the proposed size is needed in the proposed position to meet the specific needs of the farm holding. Please refer to problems which have arisen or are likely to arise from not having the building/extension.
Policies and Guidance
Agricultural Buildings Questionnaire
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. If the proposed building is to be situated more than 25m from an existing building of the same or greater volume.
What is required?
You will need to provide sufficient Information to explain the need for the proposed building and why it must be in the proposed location. Details on how the impact of the building will be minimised. Please use the form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Agricultural Dwelling Questionnaire
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Where an agricultural worker’s dwelling is proposed.
What is required?
You will need to provide sufficient information to assist in assessing the agricultural need for the creation of a new dwelling. Use form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Caravan Statement
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. If the proposal involves the siting of one or more caravans.
What is required?
Additional information relating to the proposed site, number of caravans proposed and their intended occupancy. Use form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Coal Mining Risk Assessment
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When the site is within a coal mining development referral area.
What is required?
The Coal Mining Risk Assessment should be prepared by a suitably qualified and competent person as defined in PPG14. It should contain:-
site specific coal mining information (including past/present future underground mining, shallow coal workings, mine entries, mine gas, within an area which has a current licence to extract coal, geological features, any recorded surface hazards, or within a former or present surface mining area;
identify what risks these coal mining issues, including cumulative effect, pose to the proposed development;
identify how coal mining issues have influenced the proposed development and whether any other mitigation measures are required to manage those issues and/or whether any changes have been incorporated into the development.
Any development that involves intrusive activities which intersect, disturb or enter any coal seams, coal mine workings or mine entries will require prior written permission of The Coal Authority.
Policies and Guidance
Planning Policy Guidance Note 14: Development on Unstable Land
The Planning Technician team at YDNPA can check coal mining risk for you
Contaminated Land Assessment
When required?
When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire. Where contamination is known or suspected or the proposed use would be particularly vulnerable.
What is required?
A report, provided by a person accepted by the Environmental Health Department of the relevant District Council as capable, assessing the extent of contamination of the land, and the efficacy of proposed measures to reduce the level of contamination.
Policies and Guidance
Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control
Technical Guidance for Developers, Land Owners and Consultants
Daylight/Sunlight Assessment
When required?
When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire. Where a proposed development may impact on current levels of sunlight/daylight enjoyed by adjoining properties including associated gardens or amenity space.
What is required?
An assessment by a suitably qualified individually following the BRE guidelines on daylight assessments.
Policies and Guidance
Ecological/Geological Assessment
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. If a proposed development is likely to affect a site of ecological or geological interest. All developments within or immediately adjacent to a protected site. Protected sites include:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
RAMSAR (Convention on Wetlands of International Importance)
Limestone Pavement Orders (LPO)
Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)
Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGG)
Local Wildlife Site
Scheduled Ancient Monument
Open Upland
Important Hedgerow
Other locally important site
What is required?
The requirements are different for different protected sites:
SSSI
The applicant/agent will need to contact Natural England and get their consent that permission can be granted. If there are conditions recommended by Natural England, the applicant/agent is required to confirm that they will comply with these conditions. If the applicant/agent does not wish to comply with the conditions then a copy of consultation response from Natural England should be provided along with details of how any issues raised by Natural England will be addressed.
Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection area (SPA) or RAMSAR
If the proposal is likely to have a significant effect on the protected area then an Appropriate Assessment will need to be completed by YDNPA. The applicant may be requested to provide such information as may reasonably be required to make such an assessment and at their own cost.
Limestone Pavement Order, Local Nature Reserves, RIGG, Local Wildlife Site, Open Upland, Important Hedgerow or other locally important site
Development affecting sites within any of these areas needs to be justified by exceptional circumstances of need which cannot be met in any other way, or where there are wider benefits which outweigh any harm that the development would do to the site. An evaluation prepared by suitably qualified ecologist of the impact of a proposed development and how any adverse impact could be off-set by mitigation measures. For guidance consult YDNPA Wildlife & Conservation staff.
Any surveys will need to be carried out by an appropriately experienced and qualified person. Where appropriate all reports should be accompanied by plans showing significant wildlife habitat or features.
Policies and Guidance
Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (2005)
Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation : A Guide to Good Practice (2006)
Yorkshire Dales Local Plan 2006 – Saved Policies NE3, NE4, NE5, NE6, NE7, NE8
Environmental Impact Assessment
When required?
When the development is included in Schedule 1 of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (1999), as amended. When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire and a screening opinion has been made requiring an EIA.
Note : If the development falls within schedule 2 of the EIA regulations then the Authority will screen the application to determine whether an EIA is required before the application can be validated the thresholds in schedule 2 do not apply in National Parks.
What is required?
Schedule 4 to the EIA Regulations sets out the information that should be included. A ‘scoping letter’ shall also be sent to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in accordance with the Regulations in order to agree the methodology and broad content of the assessment.
Policies and Guidance
Farm Support Statement
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Where a dwelling to support an established farm business is proposed.
What is required?
In some cases the creation of a new dwelling may be granted planning permission if it is to support the long-term viability of a farm holding by creating rented lets for persons meeting the Authority’s “local needs” criteria, or short-term holiday accommodation. This information is needed in these cases. Use form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Flood Risk Assessment
When required?
When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire. When the flood risk standing advice tool indicates that a FRA is required.
What is required?
A flood risk assessment or confirmation from the Environment Agency that an assessment is not required. The FRA should be produced in line with the requirements of PPS25: Development and Flood Risk, identify and assess the risks of all forms of flooding to and from the development and demonstrate how these flood risks will be managed, taking climate change into account. The FRA should identify opportunities to reduce the probability and consequences of flooding. The FRA should include the design of surface water management systems including Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUD’s) and address the requirements for safe access to and from the development in areas at risk of flooding.
Policies and Guidance
Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk 2010
The Planning Technician team at YDNPA can check flood zones and flood risk requirements for you
Heritage Statement
When required?
Applications for Listed Building Consent. Applications For Conservation Area Consent. When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When the proposed development would impact on a heritage asset whether designated or not.
What is required?
In many cases the heritage statement will be a simple written description, however in more complex cases, it may be necessary to cross-reference this to photographs, photomontages, plans (layouts, elevations, sections), historic plans and maps.
All statements must include:
Assessment of Significance
A description of why a heritage asset is important and valued. It is essential that this is understood from the outset and that a proposal is designed around and responds to this importance. Not all parts of a heritage asset will be equally important so the heritage statement should set out which elements are more or less important and why, as this will inform which elements are more or less sensitive to change.
Assessment of Impact and Mitigation
A description of how the heritage asset will be affected by the proposals, including any alteration to or loss/replacement of fabric/material and any impacts upon the asset’s setting. This should include a description of how any negative impacts will be minimised or positive impacts maximised.
Depending on the nature of the application it may also be necessary to provide some or all of the following elements:
Schedule of Works / Method Statement
Structural Assessment
Detailed Building Record
Archaeological Survey
Policies and Guidance
Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning and the Historic Environment 2010
Informed Conservation – Understanding historic buildings and their landscapes for conservation by Kate Clark
Yorkshire Dales Historic Environment Record
Historic Maps
County Archives
Local History and conservation societies
Housing Layout
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When housing in proposed where some housing is subject to different levels of restriction or includes some open market housing.
What is required?
A plan of the proposed housing development identifying those units which the applicant is proposing should be affordable, local needs and open market.
Policies and Guidance
Housing Need Statement and Occupancy Restriction Statement
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When housing is proposed in settlements covered by local plan policies H2 and H3
What is required?
The policies of the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan require that, in most cases, planning permission will only be granted for new dwellings if there is an identifiable need for the development within the local community. Evidence should be provided to support the claim that a local need exists, although housing need surveys may give an indication of need these are not sufficient on their own.
Policies and Guidance
Landscape Enhancement Scheme
When required?
When a proposal would have an affect on the landscape characteristics of the National Park. When a new agricultural or industrial building is proposed
What is required?
Applications should be accompanied by a landscape enhancement plan and include proposals for long term maintenance and landscape management.
Policies and Guidance
Lighting Assessment
When required?
Publicly accessible development where external lighting is proposed. When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire.
What is required?
Details of the proposed external lighting to include the hours when the lighting would be switched on. These details should include a layout plan with beam orientation and a schedule of the equipment in the design. Submission of an ‘isolux’ or similar drawings showing the luminance at specified heights above ground level may also be requested for particularly sensitive proposals or sites, such as sports floodlighting in rural or residential areas.
Policies and Guidance
Marketing Evidence
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When a loss or reduction of a community or employment site is proposed.
What is required?
Detailed statement providing results of marketing exercise undertaken throughout a minimum period of 6 months prior to submission of application, and agreed with YDNPA prior to its commencement in accordance with the Advertising Procedure in Appendix 2 of the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan.
Policies and Guidance
Noise Assessment
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When it is considered that the proposal may raise issues of noise disturbance.
What is required?
Either, a statement from the District Council Environmental Health Department indicating that the proposed development would be compatible with the location of the site relative to nearest residential properties, taking into account
any electrically operated equipment and proposed sound proofing measures; or a report from a qualified acoustician giving anticipated noise levels.
Policies and Guidance
Non Mains Drainage Assessment
When required?
When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire. When new or replacement non mains drainage is proposed.
What is required?
Where connection to the mains sewer is not practical, then the foul/non-mains drainage assessment will be required to demonstrate why the development cannot connect to the public mains sewer system and show that the alternative means of disposal are satisfactory. The requirements are different for different systems as detailed below.
If connection requires crossing land that is not in the applicant’s ownership, other than on a public highway, then notice may need to be served on the owners of that land.
Package Treatment Plant
If discharge is to a soakaway you will need to providepercolation testresults as detailed below.
The proposed location of the Package Treatment Plant must be shown on the site plan (if it discharges to watercourse this should be shown on this plan).
The manufacturer’s details of size and type of proposed Package Treatment Plant
Septic Tank
Details need to be provided in line with DETR Circular 03/99. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has produced a form for this purpose which may be of assistance.
Cesspit
The use of cesspools is an option of last resort as set out in the non-mains drainage hierarchy of preference in DETR Circular 03/99. The main concerns are overflows, irregular emptying, lack of suitable access for emptying and environmental costs of road transport from frequent emptying. For these reasons, the use of cesspools cannot be considered a long-term foul sewage disposal solution. In view of the environmental risks associated with their use, any proposal to use cesspools must be fully justified to the Local Planning Authority by providing a plan to address the concerns above.
Percolation Test
If a percolation test is required it should be completed by following the methodology below.
Excavate three holes 300mm square by 250mm deep, below any land drains.
Fill the holes with water and leave to drain away overnight.
Fill again the following day and note the time it takes to drain away the water in seconds. Fill and note the times twice more.
The percolation time is then calculated by the average time in seconds divided by the depth of water (250mm).
The date and time of the tests should be noted, along with the location and the weather conditions.
Policies and Guidance
BS6297
Protected Species Survey and Report
When required?
When indicated by the pre-validation questionnaire. Where a proposed development may have possible impacts on protected species.
What is required?
A survey to a YDNPA specification, by a person holding a relevant licence from Natural England, to determine whether the proposed development is likely to impact on protected species.
Bat emergence surveys can be undertaken between May and August (optimum time). Daytime scoping surveys (checking for signs and potential) for bats can be carried out during the winter months, if a scoping survey is undertaken outside of the optimum time for the species and the consultant recommends another survey during the optimum time the application will be held as invalid until receipt of the final survey.
Applicants are advised to determine whether a bat survey is required at the earliest opportunity in the pre-application phase. If the pre-validation questionnaire identifies the need for a survey, applicants are advised to contact an ecological consultant.
Where proposals are being made for mitigation and/or compensation measures information to support those proposals will be needed. Where appropriate, accompanying plans should indicate these.
Policies and Guidance
Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation 2005
Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation: A Guide to Good Practice. 2005
YDNPA List of Ecological Consultants for Bat Surveys – Available on request
YDNPA - Assessing the need for Bat Surveys when proposed works will affect trees
Public House Viability Assessment
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When a reduction in size or change of use of a public house is proposed.
What is required?
Completion of a Public House viability test.
Policies and Guidance
Public Right of Way Statement
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When the proposed works are within 5m of a public right of way.
What is required?
Statement to indicate what measures are proposed to protect the interests of users of any public right of way crossing or near to the site, both while the development is taking place, and in the longer term. Use form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Renewable Energy Scheme
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Erection of a building with a floor space in excess of 1000m². Erection of 10 or more houses.
What is required?
YDNPA will encourage the energy efficient design of buildings and their layout and orientation on site. Major new development will be expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of predicted energy requirements. Please provide details of the expected energy consumption of the development and how you expect to provide 10% of this using renewable energy.
Policies and Guidance
Repairs Estimate
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When repair of the existing building is not feasible.
What is required?
Itemised quotations from two builders for restoring building to habitable condition.
Policies and Guidance
Rural Enterprise Questionnaire
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Where a rural workers dwelling is proposed.
What is required?
Dwellings in the open countryside may sometimes be allowed, contrary to general housing policies, if it is clear that such a dwelling is essential to ensure the efficient management of a rural enterprise. Therefore, you will need to provide sufficient information to assist in assessing the need for the creation of a new dwelling to serve a rural enterprise. Use form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Stability Method Statement
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When conversion of a traditional building is proposed but there is no need for a full structural survey. When required as part of a heritage statement.
What is required?
A methodology statement, produced by a person of recognised relevant competence, accepted by the YDNPA to set out the means of safeguarding the stability of the building during development.
If you provide a method statement, which in the opinion of the planning officer shows a need for a structural survey or builder’s statement, you may be asked to provide this prior to validation of the application, or prior to determination.
Policies and Guidance
Statement of Residential Use
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. To demonstrate that residential use has not been abandoned.
What is required?
In these cases, it is necessary to know when and for how long the building has been occupied as a dwelling. Use form provided by YDNPA.
Policies and Guidance
Structural Survey
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. When the building shows signs of structural instability.
What is required?
A survey of the structural stability carried out by a qualified structural engineer or other qualified person accepted by the YDNPA to ascertain the extent of any reconstruction required; or a signed statement from an experienced local builder, accompanied by drawings indicating extent of anticipated rebuilding.
Policies and Guidance
Telecommunications Information
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Planning applications and applications for prior notification by telecommunications code operators for masts and antenna.
What is required?
Development should be accompanied by a range of supplementary information including the area of search, details of any consultation undertaken, details of the proposed structure, and technical justification and information about the proposed development.
Applications shall also be accompanied by a signed declaration that the equipment and installation has been designed to be in full compliance with the requirements of the radio-frequency (RF) public exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Policies and Guidance
Traffic Assessment
When required?
If indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Where the proposal is likely to result in a significant increase in traffic.
What is required?
A report, provided by a person recognised by the County Highway Authority as capable, to assess the likely impact of traffic which could be generated by a development, and where traffic movements would be likely to rise significantly. The coverage and detail of the TA should reflect the scale of the development and the extent of the transport implications of the proposal. For smaller schemes the TA should simply outline the transport aspects of the application, while for major proposals, the TA should illustrate accessibility to the site by all modes of transport, and the likely modal split of journeys to and from the site. It should also give details of proposed measures to improve access by public transport, walking and cycling, to reduce the need for parking associated with the proposal, and to mitigate transport impacts. A travel plan should also be submitted.
Policies and Guidance
Tree Survey
When required?
When indicated on the pre-validation questionnaire. Where trees could be affected by the development.
What is required?
For small scale proposals a form provided by the YDNPA can be used, detailing how any trees over a minimum size would be affected by the development, and including proposed means to minimise harm to their root systems. Please consult BS5837.2005.
Where tree removal is proposed as part of the development, any possible impacts on protected species need to be considered.
For major schemes or where there is a more significant impact on trees a report should be prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced arboriculturist. Using the methodology set out in the BS should help to ensure that development is suitably integrated with trees and that potential conflicts are avoided.
Policies and Guidance
BS5837 ‘Trees in Relation to Construction – Recommendations’
