We strongly advise that planning applications should be submitted electronically where possible. Paper submissions will still be processed but there may be some delay in the processing.
Applications can either be submitted to us:
Online through the Planning Portal
Using the National 1APP paper forms
All applications must comply with the information and document requirements as set out in the National Requirements checklist and the Local Requirements checklist for any given application type.
The Planning Portal provides guidance and information about making planning applications. You can submit an application online using the Portal, complete the forms, attach the drawings and pay for the application fee with a card. Please contact the Planning Portal helpline on 0333 323 4589 if you have problems submitting an application through the Portal. Please note that if you submit an application online using the Planning Portal your fee then needs to be sent directly to the Portal not to Basingstoke and Deane. When using Planning Portal, they are the data controller for information you submit until it is sent to the council. Read the Planning Portal’s privacy notice (opens in a new window) (PDF) [165kb].
It is also possible to produce and pay for a site location plan online from a licensed Ordnance Survey supplier.
Please note: no individual file can be bigger than 10MB and the maximum size for all attachments within an individual application is 20MB. Format for files should be either:
Please note that A3 size plans are preferable as this helps the public and consultees to view the plans online. We are unable to accept plans larger than A1 size.
. Fees are set by central government and deals with the processing of the application. The fee is non-refundable once the application has been registered. You can find out the fees through the following:
A total of 48% of planning applications last year were invalid when submitted. It is important to ensure that your application is complete and has been checked before submitting it to us, to prevent any delays in dealing with your application. Details of the information required for different types of application can be found by clicking on the relevant application form in the application types section.
The top five reasons why applications are not valid when received are:
Example of the type of plans required as part of a planning application submission. (PDF 127 KB)
Please note that A3 size plans are preferable and we are unable to accept plans larger than A1 size.
A design and access statement is a concise report accompanying certain applications for planning permission and applications for listed building consent. They provide an outline for applicants to explain how the proposed development is suitable to the site and its setting, and demonstrate that it can be adequately accessed by prospective users. Design and access statements can help decision-making by enabling us and third parties to better understand the analysis that has supported the design of a development proposal.
The level of detail in a design and access statement should be proportionate to the complexity of the application, but should not be long.
All local authorities have to consider the conservation of biodiversity (natural environment) when determining a planning application. Government planning policies for biodiversity are set out in section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
As part of 1APP (National Application Form), the submission of a biodiversity survey and report is listed in Local Planning Application Requirements - further information on what is included for planning applications can be found in the biodiversity checklist.
Most of the Hampshire Local Planning Authorities (under the umbrella group of HIPOG) have adopted a joint working approach to the local requirements. All local authorities in Hampshire have identified the submission of a biodiversity survey and report as a requirement for certain application types. Find biodiversity checklists on the Hampshire County Council website.
Sometimes you might be required to submit a daylight or sunlight assessment to support your proposals.
Example of a daylight or sunlight assessment (PDF) [203kb]
Applications can either be submitted to us:
All applications must comply with the information and document requirements as set out in the national requirements checklist and the local requirements checklist for any given application type.
To select the correct application, refer to the planning application forms and requirements webpage.
The new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) came into effect from 25 June 2018 and will be payable on relevant planning permissions granted from this date. Visit the CIL pages for further information.
Position Statement on Nitrate Neutrality in relation to The Solent
The council has recently received a consultation response from Natural England in relation to a planning application for residential development in the catchment of the River Test and Itchen (as part of the wider catchment to the Solent). As submitted, Natural England have advised that the application could have potential significant effects on Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA) and Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Natural England have advised that they require further information in order to determine the significance of these impacts and the scope for mitigation for that application. The further information required is:
Assessment of water quality impacts of the operational phase of the development on the designated sites.
Without the submission of this information, Natural England may place an objection to proposed new residential development. The issue of nitrate impact on the Solent has received coverage in the media recently. The aforementioned consultation response is the first received in this Borough. Officers have been and continue to liaise with Natural England to understand the specific issues as far as they might be relevant to BDBC. As soon as more specific advice is received this will be communicated so as to provide advice for applicants, residents and other interested parties in relation to affected planning applications.
In the meantime the council will not issue decisions for new residential development in the relevant catchment areas where wastewater generated by the development could have potential significant effects on Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA) and Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC), unless Natural England have been consulted and confirmed no objection to the proposed development.
Case officers of current applications and appeals will be contacting applicants/agents on this matter. If there are any queries on whether your site is potentially impacted please contact the relevant case officer.
Update to Position Statement 10 May 2022
On 16 March 2022 the council received updated information from Natural England in relation to the methodology for calculating impact of development in relation to nitrates. Specifically with regards to the River Itchen catchment the guidance advises that phosphorous and nitrogen are causing environmental effects. Previously only nitrogen was considered to need mitigation. This is a significant change and will mean that the council will only be able to grant planning permission for new residential development, which potentially affects this catchment area, where the phosphate as well as the nitrate impact can be appropriately addressed. Unlike nitrate impact where mitigation has started to be identified enabling planning permissions to continue the position in relation to mitigation for phosphates where necessary is far more uncertain. This means that unless it can be shown how a development proposal will avoid or mitigate any adverse effect on the nationally protected sites, the council will not at present be in a position to grant permission within that catchment.
On 20 April 2022, Natural England issued a revised Solent (applicable to River Test catchment) nutrient budget calculator, see below for the latest version. The council continues to liaise with Natural England to ascertain whether any further updates to the calculator are likely pending in particular following a recent Court of Appeal decision. Accordingly the calculators (one related to the Itchen catchment and one related to the Test catchment) are being published for use by applicants on the basis of it being the most up to date position at this time.
Update to Position Statement June 2022
Further to updates provided on 10 May 2022 Natural England have released updated versions for the Itchen Nutrient Budget Calculator and the Solent Nutrient Budget Calculator. The council continues to engage with Natural England and will provide any further updates at the earliest opportunity.
View Solent Nutrients Basingstoke Catchment Map (PDF) [3.61mb]
View Natural England Summary Guide on Nutrient Neutrality (PDF) [146kb]
View Itchen Nutrient Budget Calculator Version 2 (XLSX) [4.69mb]
View Solent Nutrient Budget Calculator Version 2.1 (XLSX) [3.65mb]
View Natural England Advice on Achieving Nutrient Neutrality for New Development in the Solent Region V5 June 2020 (PDF) [2.38mb]
View Natural England Summary Advice on Achieving Nutrient Neutrality for New Development in the Solent Region V2 June 2020 (PDF) [3.61mb]
View Permit levels for Waste Water Treatment Works (WwTWs) within the River Test and River Itchen catchments (PDF) [181kb]
Strategic Mitigation - nutrient neutrality offsetting
A number of schemes are now coming forward outside of the Borough to mitigate the impact of nutrients generated by new development where this cannot be addressed on site. Such schemes are being generated by taking land out of agricultural use and putting the land to alternative uses in perpetuity following agreement with Natural England. Further details of schemes for the River Test and River Itchen catchments can be found at Nutrient Mitigation - Partnership for South Hampshire (push.gov.uk).
The Council has now entered into a legal agreement with Eastleigh Borough Council who have established such a Nutrient Neutrality Offsetting Scheme. This legal agreement enables applicants to bring forward development within the River Test catchment using Eastleigh Borough Council’s scheme for mitigation through the purchase of credits. Should applicants wish to explore whether this approach is suitable for their development proposals further details can be found at Nutrient Offset Scheme (eastleigh.gov.uk). The Council is also continuing dialogue with other strategic mitigation providers about the prospect of securing the use of further out of Borough mitigation schemes.
The Government’s Environment Bill will introduce a mandatory requirement for all developments that are over 0.1 ha to demonstrate a minimum 10% net gain for biodiversity. The council does not yet have a firm date for when net gain will become mandatory nationally, however, ahead of this statutory legislation, the council have prepared a guidance note to inform development proposals and decisions over the short-term. The interim guidance note sets out the council’s objectives for achieving measurable net gains for biodiversity and what information should be submitted to support applications to demonstrate measurable net gains have been achieved.
Planning Team
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