Evidence - Planning validation requirements

Back button/Page style

Back to validation homepage

Planning document information

Description 

You need to submit evidence if you are applying for a certificate of lawful use for an existing development. The evidence needs to show why you believe the development is lawful.   

Guidance 

The evidence  you submit should be clear, easy to read and jargon free. 

You must label any photographs with an explanation of what they show. 

The types of evidence you submit may include: 

  • photos which confirm the development was completed or in place before a specific date 
  • utility bills which confirm that the building was being used as such for that period of time 
  • affidavits and sworn statements which confirm when the building was completed or what it was being used for at a specific date 
  • historic documents which show that the development was completed or in place before a specific date 
  • any other documents which you feel may support your application 

You can get help and advice from our Duty Planner on evidence and other types of planning applications. 

You can get detailed feedback on your proposal by using our pre-application advice service. 

Personal and confidential statement 

We may publish any information you submit as part of your application. You must tell us if there is any information you do not want us to publish when you submit your application.  

If however, we believe that this information is in the public interest, we reserve the right to publish it.  

We may also decide parts of your submission are not in the public interest and may redact this information. This information may include telephone numbers, email addresses and signatures. 

When you need to submit this information

You have to submit evidence when you are making an application for a certificate of lawful use for an existing development. 

Validation requirements

Required by 

These policies can be found in the Local Plan 2013 - 2033 document