Making a Planning Application

All applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts which are submitted to us must be on the 1APP forms. You can submit applications and supporting documents online via the national Planning Portal or alternatively you can download the forms and our validation checklist by visiting our Documents and Forms webpage.  

The new form will be used for all types of planning applications and will help to deliver greater transparency, consistency and efficiency in the delivery of the Council’s planning service.

Planning Application Forms and Advice

Planning Applications can be made in the following 3 ways:

1. Online via the Planning Portal

This is the quickest and simplest way to make your application.

You will:

• be taken step by step through the process.
• be able to submit and pay for your application, instantly.
• be able to purchase site location plans online.
• only be required to provide us with 1 copy of each document & plan (1 original & 3 copies are normally required)

To submit your application online please visit the Planning Portal website.

2. Part online by completing the forms using the Planning Portal

If you choose this method you can use the Planning Portal to help you choose the correct application forms and guide you through their completion after which you can print them and send them to us with the plans and drawings. We will require one original and three copies of each document and plan if you submit your application to us in this way.

3. In traditional, paper form

Download and print the appropriate application form and validation checklist from our Documents and Forms webpage and bring or send your application forms and plans to us. We will require one original and three copies of each document and plan if you submit your application to us in this way.

Care should be taken to select the correct form as failure to do so is likely to result in your application being returned to you. The application forms, guidance notes and validation checklist can all be downloaded from the Documents and Forms webpage. 

Should you require further advice, please contact the Planning Services Section on 01629 761 336 or email us at planning@derbyshiredales.gov.uk.

Your Planning Application should include:

• A completed application form.
• Plans, documents and a Design and Access Statement if required (see Validation Checklist).
• Completed Validation Checklist.
• A fee (if required).

(One original and three copies of each document and plan is required if not submitting online)

Design and Access Statements

A 'Design and Access Statement' is required with certain planning application types before they can be considered 'valid'.

It is a short report accompanying and supporting a planning application to illustrate the process that has led to the development proposal and to explain and justify the proposal in a structured way.

Statements should be proportionate to the complexity of the application, but need not be long. Advice on how to write a Design and Access Statement has been prepared by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (C.A.B.E.)

Design and Access statements are not required for all types of application. Detailed advice in regard to the circumstances where a Design and Access Statement is required is contained within the Validation Checklist. 

A copy of the Design and Access Statement Leaflet can be downloaded from the Related Documents section at the bottom of the webpage. 

Types of Planning Permission

There are different application forms, depending on the type of application you are making. For more information on the different types of permission and application forms please visit either our webpage on Types of Planning Permission or Documents and Forms. 

For more information on what is required by us in order to process your application please see the validation checklist on our Planning Documents and Forms webpage.

All applications must be accompanied by an up to date Ordnance Survey plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale. Plans can purchased from a variety of resellers including Derbyshire Dales District Council (01629 761 336) and the Planning Portal's 'Buy a Map' scheme - 'Buy a Map'. For more guidance on location and block plans please see the relevant guidance notes at the bottom of this page.  

If you are applying for building development, a site layout plan at a scale of 1:500 which shows the location of the buildings and existing features such as trees and neighbouring buildings. The plan should also show the access to the site, roads and paths within it, and the treatment of all open areas.

The Application Fee

Most applications require a fee which is determined by the Government. Full details of fees are provided in the Fees Schedule (which can be downloaded from the Related Documents section at the bottom of this webpage).

If using Paper forms please send all completed applications to:

Director of Planning and Housing Services
Derbyshire Dales District Council
Town Hall
Bank Road
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3NN

If you have difficulty in completing your application please telephone 01629 761 358.

We will let you know, normally within four working days, if we need any further information to make your application valid. If we do not receive this additional information within one month, we will return the incomplete papers to you.