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Lawful development certificate: Existing Use
An application for a certificate confirming that an existing use of land, operational development or an activity being carried out in breach of a planning condition is lawful for planning purposes
Submission details
Details about the submitted payload, including reference information, application types, specification profile, destination, documents, and fees
Submission reference
Specification profile
MHCLG core - The core national specification profile used by MHCLG.
GLA - The Greater London Authority profile used where GLA-specific requirements apply.
National public view - The national public view publication profile.
Submitted at
Created at
Document
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Structure for submitted documents including reference, metadata, and file information
Reference
Name
Description
Document types
Acoustic report - A report measuring the noise environment for a new development or its effect within a proposed development
Affordable housing statement - This statement should set out how the development scheme will comply with the local authority’s affordable housing policy
Air quality assessment (AQA) - An assessment of the impact on air quality around the development and during the construction phase
Arboricultural impact assessment - A supporting report from an arboriculturist for any proposed work on trees - providing detail on the conditions of the trees on or next to the development site
Archaeological assessment - An evaluation to identify and assess the potential of an area to contain as-yet unrecorded archaeological sites
Biodiversity survey and report - Information on biodiversity interests and protected species and any possible impacts on them from the development, plus details of any measures proposed to mitigate or compensate for the impacts
Community infrastructure levy (CIL) form - A form that must be completed to determine whether the development is subject to a CIL payment
Condition of Trees - Written arboricultural advice
Completed application form - The application form that must be completed for all planning applications, including the relevant sections and questions
Daylight and sunlight assessment - An assessment to evaluate the potential impact of a proposed development on the amount of natural light received by surrounding properties
Design and access statement - A report accompanying and supporting a planning application that explains how a proposed development is a suitable response to the site and its setting, and demonstrates that it can be adequately accessed by prospective users
Elevation - existing - What a building or structure currently looks like from the outside at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100
Elevation - proposed - Showing how the building will look after work has been carried out at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100
Energy statement - A detailed report about how a planned development will meet the energy efficiency standards set by the local planning authority
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Environmental Statement - A statement setting out an assessment of the likely environmental effects of the proposed development - this is only required if the local planning authority deem the application to have environmental impacts after the Environmental Impact Assessment has been assessed
Flood risk assessment - An assessment of flood risk that needs to be completed if the proposed development is within a flood risk zone to show the potential impacts of the development on flooding and propose mitigation, such as SuDs
Floor plan - existing - Floor plans showing the building as it is now, usually at a scale of 1:100, but can be 1:50 if done to maintain consistency from the elevation drawings
Floor plan - proposed - Floor plans showing the proposed changes to the building, usually at a scale of 1:100, but can be 1:50 if done to maintain consistency from the elevation drawings
Heritage impact assessment - If the site is close to a heritage asset or conservation area a report is needed to assess the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the heritage
Heritage statement - This statement describes a heritage asset, its significance and the proposed works that are being applied for
Hydrocarbon Licence - Proof of exploration rights from North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)
Land contamination assessment - Report on potential land contamination issues - if contamination is found on site remediation and mitigation proposals will need to be included
Landscaping plan - A plan of a site considering both soft-landscaping (natural elements like flowers, trees, and grass) as well as hard-landscaping (man-made features like lawn furniture, fountains, and sheds)
Lighting assessment - A lighting assessment is required for all applications that include use of floodlighting or a significant amount of external lighting
Location plan - A location plan that shows the site outlined clearly in red in relation to the surrounding area, at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500, showing at least 2 named roads and surrounding land and buildings. A blue line must be drawn around any other land owned by the applicant close to or adjoining the application site
Noise and Traffic Assessment - Evaluates operational impact on surrounding communities
Noise assessment - A report that assesses the impact of noise from the proposed development on the surrounding area
Site photographs - Pictures to show the existing context and condition of the site and surrounding area
Planning statement - The statement identifies the context and need for a proposed development, and assesses how the development is in accordance with the relevant national and local policies
Roof plan - existing - Drawing showing the roof as it is now
Roof plan - proposed - Drawing showing the proposed changes to the roof
Schedule of Works
Section - existing - A plan that shows an existing vertical cut through a building or site, revealing the interior and exterior profiles
Section - proposed - A plan that shows the proposed vertical cut through a building or site, revealing the interior and exterior profiles
Site plan - A site plan that shows the proposed development in relation to the site boundaries and other existing buildings at a scale of 1:200 or 1:500 is advised
Site restoration plan
Sketch Plan - Often a plan showing the position of the trees listed in an application
Statement of community involvement (SCI) - Sets out how residents and businesses have been involved in the design and development process of the proposals
Structural damage report - A report that relates specifically to the structural condition of the property if it has been affected by nearby trees
Subsidence Report - A report by an engineer or surveyor describing damage, vegetation, soil, roots, and repair proposals
Sustainable Drainage Strategy (SuDS)
Transport assessment or statement - A description and analysis of the existing transport conditions and details of the expected impact of the proposed development on the local transportation system
Travel plan - A package of actions to encourage safe, healthy and sustainable travel options for a new development
Ecology Assessment - A document to identify how protection of biodiversity and habitat quality will be achieved and enhanced, where possible.
Fire statement - A report that sets out how the proposal handles the fire safety aspects, including details of fire safety measures, access for firefighting, and evacuation plans.
Habitat baseline plan
Proposed habitat plan
Sustainability statement - A report that outlines how the development will meet sustainability objectives, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management.
Biodiveristy Net Gain Metric - A metric used to assess the biodiversity value of a site before and after development, ensuring that the development results in a net gain for biodiversity.
Site investigation - A report or investigation assessing ground conditions and potential contamination risks at the site, including whether further investigation, risk assessment or remediation is needed.
Construction management plan - A plan setting out how construction works will be managed to reduce impacts during development, including matters such as access, deliveries, working hours, noise, dust and parking.
Waste management plan - A plan setting out how waste from the proposed development will be stored, collected, managed or disposed of during construction or operation.
Water impact assessment - An assessment of how the proposed development may affect water bodies, water quality, water supply or related water environments.
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Uploaded date
File
Structure for digital files to be included in the submission of an application
Base64
Filename
MIME type
File size
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Fee
Structure for application fees including amounts due, amounts paid, and transaction references
Amount
Amount paid
Transactions
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Description of existing use
How the development site is used, including use class information
Existing use detail
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Information about a specific existing use on the site, including use class, additional details, and which part of the land it relates to
Use
B2 – General Industrial - Industrial uses not falling within Class E.
B8 – Storage and Distribution - Warehousing and storage.
C1 – Hotels - Includes hotels, boarding houses, and guest houses.
C2 – Residential Institutions - Care homes, hospitals, and boarding schools.
C2A – Secure Residential Institutions - Prisons, young offender institutions.
C3 – Dwellinghouses - Sole or main residence used by people forming a single household.
C4 – Houses in multiple occupation - Defined in the Housing Act 2004 (with the exclusion of converted block of flats).
E(a) – Retail (other than hot food) - Shops and other retail services.
E(b) – Food and Drink - Premises mostly for on-site consumption.
E(c)(i) – Financial Services - Banks, building societies, and credit unions.
E(c)(ii) – Professional Services - Non-health/medical services (e.g., accountants, solicitors).
E(c)(iii) – Any Other Service - Non-retail services to the public.
E(d) – Indoor Sports and Recreation - Excludes motorised or firearms activities.
E(e) – Medical or Health Services - Clinics and health centres.
E(f) – Creche, Day Nursery - Facilities for childcare.
E(g)(i) – Office - For operational or administrative functions.
E(g)(ii) – Research and Development - Development of products or processes.
E(g)(iii) – Industrial Process - Processes that can operate within a residential area.
F1(a) – Education - Schools, colleges, and training centres.
F1(b) – Display of Works of Art - Galleries (excluding commercial galleries).
F1(c) – Museum - Non-commercial museums.
F1(d) – Public Library - Libraries open to the public.
F1(e) – Public Hall/Exhibition Hall - Community spaces for events.
F1(f) – Public Worship/Religious Instruction - Churches, mosques, synagogues.
F1(g) – Law Court - Court facilities.
F2(a) – Local Community Shop - Shop under 280 sqm with no similar facility nearby.
F2(b) – Community Hall - Halls for local community use.
F2(c) – Outdoor Sport/Recreation - Excludes motorised sports.
F2(d) – Indoor/Outdoor Swimming Pool - Includes skating rinks.
Sui generis - Uses that do not fall within any defined use class and are considered unique. For example, theatres, nightclubs, scrap yards and mineral extraction
Other (Please Specify) - Free text required if selected.
Use details
Land part
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Use works activity
Why a Lawful Development Certificate is required regarding how the development site is being used, or specific works taking place on the site.
LDC need
Existing use
Existing building work
Existing use in breach of condition
Building work in breach of condition
Activity in breach of condition
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Use
B2 – General Industrial - Industrial uses not falling within Class E.
B8 – Storage and Distribution - Warehousing and storage.
C1 – Hotels - Includes hotels, boarding houses, and guest houses.
C2 – Residential Institutions - Care homes, hospitals, and boarding schools.
C2A – Secure Residential Institutions - Prisons, young offender institutions.
C3 – Dwellinghouses - Sole or main residence used by people forming a single household.
C4 – Houses in multiple occupation - Defined in the Housing Act 2004 (with the exclusion of converted block of flats).
E(a) – Retail (other than hot food) - Shops and other retail services.
E(b) – Food and Drink - Premises mostly for on-site consumption.
E(c)(i) – Financial Services - Banks, building societies, and credit unions.
E(c)(ii) – Professional Services - Non-health/medical services (e.g., accountants, solicitors).
E(c)(iii) – Any Other Service - Non-retail services to the public.
E(d) – Indoor Sports and Recreation - Excludes motorised or firearms activities.
E(e) – Medical or Health Services - Clinics and health centres.
E(f) – Creche, Day Nursery - Facilities for childcare.
E(g)(i) – Office - For operational or administrative functions.
E(g)(ii) – Research and Development - Development of products or processes.
E(g)(iii) – Industrial Process - Processes that can operate within a residential area.
F1(a) – Education - Schools, colleges, and training centres.
F1(b) – Display of Works of Art - Galleries (excluding commercial galleries).
F1(c) – Museum - Non-commercial museums.
F1(d) – Public Library - Libraries open to the public.
F1(e) – Public Hall/Exhibition Hall - Community spaces for events.
F1(f) – Public Worship/Religious Instruction - Churches, mosques, synagogues.
F1(g) – Law Court - Court facilities.
F2(a) – Local Community Shop - Shop under 280 sqm with no similar facility nearby.
F2(b) – Community Hall - Halls for local community use.
F2(c) – Outdoor Sport/Recreation - Excludes motorised sports.
F2(d) – Indoor/Outdoor Swimming Pool - Includes skating rinks.
Sui generis - Uses that do not fall within any defined use class and are considered unique. For example, theatres, nightclubs, scrap yards and mineral extraction
Other (Please Specify) - Free text required if selected.
Specified use
Grounds for lawful development certificate
Evidence and explanations relating to a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) application
Grounds pre 2024
Use over 10 years ago - The use began more than 10 years before the date of this application.
Breach of condition over 10 years ago - The use, building works or activity in breach of condition began more than 10 years before the date of this application.
Lawful change of use within 10 years - The use began within the last 10 years, as a result of a change of use not requiring planning permission, and there has not been a change of use requiring planning permission in the last 10 years.
Building works completed over 4 years ago - The building works (for instance, building or engineering works) were substantially completed more than four years before the date of this application.
Dwelling change of use over 4 years ago - The change of use to use as a single dwelling house began more than four years before the date of this application.
Other - Other – please specify (this might include claims that the change of use or building work was not development, or that it benefited from planning permission granted under the Act or by the General Permitted Development Order).
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Grounds post 2024
Use over 10 years ago - The use, building works or activity began more than 10 years before the date of this application.
Lawful change of use within 10 years - The use began within the last 10 years, as a result of a change of use not requiring planning permission, and there has not been a change of use requiring planning permission in the last 10 years.
Other - Other – please specify (this might include claims that the change of use or building work was not development, or that it benefited from planning permission granted under the Act or by the General Permitted Development Order).
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Other details
Supporting applications
#1
Planning permissions, certificates, or notices affecting the application site
Reference number
Condition number
Decision date
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Reason
Information to support LDC
Supporting information required to make a Lawful Development Certificate application
Existing use start date
Existing use interrupted
Interruption details
Existing use change
Existing use change details
Residential units
Details of the residential units that make up both the current and proposed development.
Residential unit change
Residential unit summary
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Breakdown of residential unit counts by tenure and housing type, with optional unit breakdowns
Tenure type
Market Housing - Private housing for sale or rent.
Social Rented Housing - Public/social housing at below-market rents.
Intermediate Housing - Housing with rents or ownership costs between social housing and market housing.
Key Worker Housing - Housing for essential workers (e.g. teachers, NHS staff).
Social, Affordable, or Intermediate Rent - Housing for below-market rent.
Affordable Home Ownership - Shared ownership or similar schemes.
Starter Homes - Discounted homes for first-time buyers.
Self-Build and Custom Build - Homes built or commissioned by individuals.
Housing type
Houses - Detached, semi-detached, or terraced houses.
Flats/Maisonettes - Self-contained apartments or maisonettes.
Sheltered Housing - Housing with support for older or disabled people.
Bedsit/Studio - Single-room living spaces.
Cluster Flats - Flats with shared communal areas.
Other - Any other housing type not listed.
Live-Work Units - Properties combining residential and workspace.
Unknown - When the type of housing is uncertain.
Unit quantities
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Structure for defining quantities of units, either as unknown or broken down by bedroom count
Units unknown
Bedroom count
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Structure for counting units by bedroom number, allowing for unknown bedroom counts
No bedrooms unknown
Number of bedrooms
Units
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Total units
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Unit quantities
#1
Structure for defining quantities of units, either as unknown or broken down by bedroom count
Units unknown
Bedroom count
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Structure for counting units by bedroom number, allowing for unknown bedroom counts
No bedrooms unknown
Number of bedrooms
Units
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Total units
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Total existing units
Total proposed units
Net change
Agent contact details
Name and contact information if an agent is being used.
Agent reference
Contact details
A substructure for recording contact details
Email
Phone number
#1
A substructure for recording a phone number
Phone number
Contact priority
Primary - The preferred item to use
Secondary - The option to use if primary is not working
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Agent details
Name and contact information if an agent is being used.
Agent obj
Details of the agent acting on behalf of the applicant, including name and organisation if applicable
Reference
Company
User role
Agent - A professional agent working for the applicant
Proxy - An individual working on behalf of the applicant but not in a professional capacity
A Person
Details of an individual
Title
First Name
Last Name
Address Text
Postcode
Applicant contact details
Telephone number and email address of the applicant.
Applicant reference
Contact details
A substructure for recording contact details
Email
Phone number
#1
A substructure for recording a phone number
Phone number
Contact priority
Primary - The preferred item to use
Secondary - The option to use if primary is not working
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Applicant details
Name and contact information for the parties making the application.
Applicant
#1
Details of an individual applicant for the planning application, including their personal information and contact details
Reference
A Person
Details of an individual
Title
First Name
Last Name
Address Text
Postcode
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Conflict of interest
Details of any conflict of interest that may exist between the applicant and planning authority.
Checklist
Checking whether all the requirements of the form have been met, such as proof of payment or supporting documentation.
National requirement types
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Declaration
Signed and dated verification of the application's accuracy.
Person reference
Declaration confirmed
Declaration date
Interest details
Names and contact details for all parties with an interest in the proposed develpoment.
Applicant interest type
Owner
Lessee
Occupier
None - Applicant has no direct interest in the property
LDC Owner Details
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Details of property owners for Listed Building Consent applications including their personal information and whether they have been informed of the application
A Person
Details of an individual
Title
First Name
Last Name
Address Text
Postcode
Informed of application
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LDC Interested Person
#1
Details of persons with an interest in the property for Listed Building Consent applications including their personal information, nature of interest, and notification status
A Person
Details of an individual
Title
First Name
Last Name
Address Text
Postcode
Nature of interest
Informed of application
Reason not informed
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Pre-application advice
Details of pre-application advice previously received from the planning authority
Pre-application advice sought
Officer name
Reference
Advice date
Advice summary
Site details
Where the proposed development will be built.
Site location
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Details about the location of a development site, including its boundary, address, and/or coordinates
Site boundary
Address Text
Postcode
Easting
Northing
Latitude
Longitude
Description
UPRNs
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Site Visit Details
Information to help the planning authority arrange a site visit
Site seen from public area
Site visit contact type
Applicant - The applicant of the application
Agent - The agent who completed the form
Contact reference
Other contact
Details of another contact person for site visits when not using the applicant or agent
Full name
Phone number
Email
Submit