Planning Application Forms and Checklists.

The Exmoor National Park is a working and living community where development is necessary to ensure that the needs of the community, businesses and visitors are met. The Local Plan, adopted in 2005, sets out a range of policies that allow development to take place and the Local Planning Authority permit approximately 95% of the applications which are submitted.

The planning policies seek to ensure that development is of the right scale, directed to appropriate locations and conserves and enhances the character and appearance of the National Park. Development proposals should be of a high quality so that the special qualities of the National Park are maintained.

Pre- Application Advice: Planning Officers are happy to look at draft proposals prior to submission. Weekly planning surgeries are run at Porlock Lovelace Centre (10am – midday on Mondays) and Lynton Town Hall (10am-midday on Wednesdays). No appointment is needed to attend these surgeries but any information which can be sent through in advance will assist planning officers to research and advise. Draft proposals can also be sent in to Exmoor House by post or e-mail and officers are happy to then meet in the office or on site as appropriate.

Other officers of the National Park Authority, for instance, tree and archaeology officers, can also be contacted with draft proposals that cover their areas of expertise so that they can advise as to whether further information is needed. Planning Officers can also put you in touch with the appropriate Highway Engineers or Environment Agency officers as appropriate to your proposals so that you can have a direct dialogue as needed.

If there are queries regarding the level of information that is required with your submission then please contact the Development Control Section of the National Park Authority.

Submitting Applications: The National Park Authority encourages the submission of your application electronically via the national Planning Portal. The Portal assists by providing a structured way to complete the forms, checks the planning fee and allows the completed process to be completed on line (or partially on line if your prefer). The Planning Portal also provides a range of planning and Building Control guidance. The Portal can be accessed at www.planningportal.gov.uk/

If you do not wish to submit your application on line then the planning application forms can be downloaded from the list below. Please ensure that the correct form is used. If you wish us to send the forms then please contact the Planning Section; we will be happy to advise on the appropriate forms and send them in the post.

By which ever method you wish to submit your application please can we reinforce the need to check and submit the details required on the validation checklist and the details needed in the Design and Access Statement.

The National Park Authority has produced a document “Requirements for the Submission of Planning and Other Applications” which sets out in detail the national and local requirements to help ensure that your application can be registered.

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