Make a planning application
Before submitting an application see if you need planning permission on the planning portal.
Information on planning fees
You will also need to know how much submitting an application will cost:
Building regulations approval
You may also need Building Regulations approval for building works or alteration. Please visit the Building Regulations and Control pages for details.
Phased Development and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The information below is about the impact of phasing a development on CIL. A development can only be phased if it is necessary and appropriate in planning terms. This will need to be discussed with a Planning Case Officer.
If planning permission is phased, CIL is applied to each phase of the development as if it were a separate chargeable development.
The benefit of this is that different parts of the development can start without CIL becoming due on other parts of the development. This has implications on:
- build timescales
- the ability to claim CIL relief
Please consider if your development needs to be phased and discuss this with your Planning Case Officer early in the planning process so that the phasing can be explicitly set out in the planning permission. A phasing condition setting out each phase and the sequence of delivery must be applied to the permission for CIL purposes.
Phasing Self-Build Developments
A common query is about self-build developments. For example, for a self-build development of 3 dwellings, if the permission is not phased then all 3 owners would have to take liability and claim self-build relief before any works start.
This can:
- be difficult to coordinate
- lead to problems with someone starting work before everyone else's paperwork is in order
- lead to CIL surcharges being applied
If each plot is an individual phase, then commencement of any individual plot would only affect the CIL liability for that one plot. This means each individual plot owner could claim self-build relief. They can also start work independent of each other.
Phasing where only one part of the development is CIL liable
Developers may also want to consider phasing where there are different types of development taking place or only parts of a permission is CIL liable. For example, where there is a mixed use permission and a developer wishes to commence part of the development without triggering the CIL liability on, for example, the residential part of the development.
The development can be phased allowing different phases to commence at different stages or CIL becoming payable only when the CIL liable part of the development is commenced.
If you want to know more about CIL and phasing please contact the CIL Team. You can email them at: [email protected]
Pre-application advice
If planning permission is required for your proposed development, our pre-application advice service will give you a steer on whether you are likely to be successful with your planning application before it is submitted.
If we believe your application is unlikely to be successful, we can offer advice on how issues with the application can be overcome. This can save you time and money by enabling potential issues to be identified and resolved before the application is submitted.
Planning Application Validation List
We adopted our latest Planning Application Validation List (PAVL) on 25 February 2026. The list is due to come into effect on 1 June 2026.
The PAVL is set out by application type, summarising the relevant national criteria and specifying the locally required information.
The PAVL sets out the thresholds for when each item will or is likely to be requested. The glossary explains the standards and content expected for plans and information requested.
Supporting documents
The WNC Local Validation List Matrix is a quick reference tool to be used alongside the Validation List. It helps to identify which supporting documents, plans, and assessments are required for different types of planning applications.
The Rural Building Questionnaire is a local validation for Agricultural Prior Approvals. It is designed to gather essential information to allow the Local Planning Authority to determine these applications in an efficient manner.
Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Fee (SAMM)
The Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area (SPA) is partly in West Northamptonshire. If your development involves new dwellings or some types of overnight accommodation and is within 5.9km of the SPA, you will need to pay a Strategic Access and Management Monitoring (SAMM) fee.
See our Planning Technical Guidance for West Northamptonshire.
Submitting your application
When you are satisfied with your plans you can submit your application
Last updated 02 September 2026