Skip to main content

Local information requirements

These requirements are specific to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. All planning authorities may have such a list of ‘Local information requirements’ to take into account the particular qualities of the area they cover, in our case, the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Reasons for local requirements:

  • Help you, the planning applicant, from the outset, to understand the type and extent of information that will be required of you.
  • Provide you with greater certainty.
  • Enable us to have all the information we need in order to determine the application, draft the planning permission and word any planning conditions required.
  • Minimise the risk that we will have to come back to you for more information and thus the risk that we will fail to achieve our performance targets.

Select from the following for more details of information that may need to be submitted with planning applications:

Affordable housing statement

A written statement including a site plan showing the number of residential units and the mix of housing type, for example, affordable housing, local needs housing and any market housing. For each unit, the number of bedrooms and the floor space of habitable areas should be given. If different levels or types of affordability or tenure are proposed for different units this should be clearly and fully explained. The affordable housing statement should also include details of the mechanism that will be used to secure affordability in perpetuity for local people at an affordable cost, for example, involving a registered social landlord such as a Housing Association or Trust.

Agricultural dwelling questionnaire

You will need to provide enough information to help us assess the agricultural need for the creation of a new dwelling. Use the agricultural dwelling form provided.

Air quality

Applications for the above types of development which meet the criteria for potential to affect air quality on designated habitat sites must be accompanied by an Air Quality Assessment and a shadow HRA.

A Simple Calculation of Atmospheric Impact Limits (SCAIL) tool can be used to help assess impacts from the proposals listed above. The outputs from the tool will help the tool’s primary users (environmental regulators, planners, farmers, conservation bodies) make decisions on the development and identify when an Air Quality Assessment is required. 

Archaeological assessment

A desk based archaeological assessment and a field evaluation undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced archaeological consultant – please contact our Heritage Team for advice if you are unsure about the potential for archaeological interest in your site.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) 1990, Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory subject to confirmed exemptions.

Unless exempt, you must demonstrate you have met the minimum mandatory requirement of 10% biodiversity net gain over the pre-development value of the site. The minimum information which you must submit is set in the The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (legislation.gov.uk) and listed in the National Planning Practice Guidance on biodiversity net gain .

The requirements include:

The metric should be completed by a competent person with specialist knowledge of habitat types and conditions, such as an Ecologist, who can advise on the calculations. You can find an ecology consultant on the CIEEM website.

You must explain how a biodiversity net gain approach has been taken at the development site. This must be carried out in line with the ecological mitigation hierarchy of avoiding and minimising impacts first before BNG is applied. 

The government has advice on exemptions from the BNG requirement. If you think your site is exempt, then you should include a statement in your application form to explain why.  

Small sites guidance:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c60ec19c5b7f0012951bdd/The_Small_Sites_Metric__Statutory_Biodiversity_Metric__-_User_Guide.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-biodiversity-metric-tools-and-guides

Community use assessment

Required when development is proposed that would result in the loss of, or have an unacceptable adverse affect on, an existing community facility. Applications must be supported by appropriate and proportionate independent evidence, including appropriate financial, business planning, options appraisals, marketing and community engagement evidence.

Contaminated land assessment

A report, provided by a person accepted by the Environmental Health Department of the relevant District Council as capable, assessing the extent of contamination of the land, and the efficacy of proposed measures to reduce the level of contamination. We recommend you contact your District Council initially.

Guidance: Yorkshire and Humberside Pollution Advisory Council guidance on contaminated land

Ecological/geological assessment

The requirements are different for different protected sites:

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

The applicant/agent will need to contact Natural England and get their consent that permission can be granted. If there are conditions recommended by Natural England, the applicant/agent is required to confirm that they will comply with these conditions. If the applicant/agent does not wish to comply with the conditions then a copy of the consultation response from Natural England should be provided along with details of how any issues raised by Natural England will be addressed.

Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection area (SPA) or Ramsar (wetlands of international importance)

If the proposal is likely to have a significant effect on the protected area then an Appropriate Assessment will need to be completed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. The applicant may be requested to provide such information as may reasonably be required to make such an assessment and at their own cost.

Limestone Pavement Order, Local Nature Reserves, RIGS, Local Wildlife Site, Open Upland, Important Hedgerow or other locally important site

Development affecting sites within any of these areas needs to be justified by exceptional circumstances of need which cannot be met in any other way, or where there are wider benefits which outweigh any harm that the development would do to the site. An evaluation prepared by a suitably qualified ecologist of the impact of a proposed development and how any adverse impact could be off-set by mitigation measures. For guidance consult the National Park Authority’s Wildlife & Conservation Team ADD LINK. Any surveys will need to be carried out by an appropriately experienced and qualified person. Where appropriate all reports should be accompanied by plans showing significant wildlife habitat or features.

Guidance:

Farm buildings questionnaire

You will need to provide sufficient information to explain the need for the proposed building and why it must be in the proposed location; also give details of how the impact of the building will be minimised. Please complete our Farm building questionnaire.

Farm support statement

In some cases, the creation of a new dwelling may be granted planning permission if it is to support the long-term viability of a farm holding by creating rented lets for persons meeting the National Park Authority’s “local needs” criteria or short-term holiday accommodation. Please complete our Farm support statement.

Flood risk assessments

Follow Government Guidance.

Heritage statement

See guidance.  

Marketing evidence

Required when a proposal would lead to a permanent loss of significant employment. The applicant will need to demonstrate through evidence that the use of the site is unlikely to be viable in the longer term for renewed employment activities. This could include market intelligence and market testing that demonstrates that the site has been exposed to sale or rental, at a price, within its current land use classification (or other uses agreed with the Authority), but has not received any realistic offers. The Authority will also seek advice from the local economic development agency. For the Authority to accept market testing as effective evidence of lack of demand it will look for advertising of the premises for a minimum of six months at a price which fairly reflects its value or rental value. The price should be agreed with the National Park Authority in advance, and the estate agent should be advised to register expressions of interest with the Authority.

Method statement

Required to accompany applications for the conversion of a traditional building when a Structural Survey is not identified as necessary. A short report is required, which has been prepared by a builder or person of relevant competence, specifically addressing the following:

    • The condition of the building.

    • Confirmation that the proposed works (new openings, removal of roof etc) will not so weaken the structure that the walls shown to be retained will need to be taken down during construction.

    • Details of the method of construction that will ensure the above does not happen.

Noise impact assessment

We require either a statement from the District Council Environmental Health Department indicating that the proposed development would be compatible with the location of the site relative to nearest residential properties, taking into account any electrically operated equipment and proposed sound proofing measures or a report from a qualified acoustician giving anticipated noise levels.

Guidance:

MCS020 Planning Standards for Microgeneration Installations

Non mains drainage assessment

Required where connection to the mains sewer is not practical. The Environment Agency’s FDA1 Form will be required to demonstrate why the development cannot connect to the public mains sewer system and show that the alternative means of disposal is satisfactory. If connection requires crossing land that is not in the applicant’s ownership, other than on a public highway, then notice may need to be served on the owners of that land.

Nutrient Neutrality Assessment and Mitigation Strategy

Foul drainage details are required including the location of a PTP drainage field (where required), and a completed nutrient budget calculator.

A mitigation strategy is required where the budget calculator identifies a positive nutrient loading.

It is strongly recommended that an environmental and/or ecological consultant is engaged to provide assistance in completing the calculator and designing a mitigation strategy in order to avoid unnecessary delays with your planning application.

Further information

Occupancy restriction statement

Policies C1 ‘Housing in Settlements’, C4 ‘Sub-division’ and L2 ‘Conversion of traditional buildings – acceptable uses’ of the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan 2015-2030 and HS1 of the Eden Local Plan 2014-2032 allow for housing development to meet a local need. To ensure that this housing remains available for local people, the polices require the developer to enter into a legal agreement to restrict the occupancy of the new dwellings to persons satisfying a ‘local need’. Applications should therefore include confirmation that occupancy of the dwellings will be subject to the occupancy criteria set out in the local plans.

Protected species survey and report

When we consider a planning application we are required by law to consider the likely impact of the development on Bats and their resting places. Proposals that affect potential roosting or resting places, such as roofs, chimneys, fascia boards, mines, tunnels etc will need to be accompanied by a Bat Survey. Please check our validation questionnaire for a list of works likely to trigger the need for a Bat Survey.

The survey must be carried out by someone holding a relevant licence from Natural England. The planning application can be validated and progressed if it includes a daytime scoping survey (a survey checking for signs of Bat presence and the potential for it) which concludes that there is little or no likelihood of Bats being present or affected by the proposal. However if the Bat surveyor concludes that there is a need for an emergence survey (monitoring the site to record Bat activity) the application will not be validated and will be returned because that information is necessary to determine the application. If the Bat surveyor advises that an emergence survey is needed you are advised to discuss the circumstances with the surveyor and whether there are measures that could be adopted to ensure there is no likelihood of an impact.

Applicants are advised to determine whether a bat survey is required at the earliest opportunity in the pre-application phase. If the validation questionnaire identifies the need for a survey, applicants are advised to contact an ecological consultant. Where proposals are being made for mitigation and/or compensation measures, information to support those proposals will be needed. Where appropriate, accompanying plans should indicate these.

Guidance:

This is a Guidance Note by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority on Protected Species Licences and Planning Application Requirements.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority would like to highlight that over the last decade there has been a welcome increase in the number and distribution of the Barn Owl population across the National Park and so it is becoming more likely that anyone undertaking surveys of potentially suitable nesting habitat as part of a planning application (particularly for barn conversions) may encounter breeding Barn Owls. As such, we thought it would be a good time to remind people of the legal protection of Barn Owls and other protected species.

Protected species surveys are a material consideration in assessing whether the development is acceptable and meets national and local policies and legislation. You need a license if your activity could disturb, injure, or kill a protected species, or damage their habitat. You can get an unlimited fine and up to 6 months in prison if you do not have a licence when carrying out an activity that needs one.  Further information and guidance are listed in the CIEEM Competencies for Species Survey in Britain and Ireland can be found here.

If Barns Owls are found to be present, appropriate mitigation will be required and we would recommend referring to the Barn Owl Trust guidelines here.

In addition, when considering other protected species such as bats, planning and licensing are separate and distinct consent regimes. However, much of the information and evidence required by Natural England in order to determine a licence application will also be required by the planning authority as the competent authority for planning in its consideration of the planning merits of the application and if necessary, the likelihood of the development activity being granted a licence.

Please be aware that clause 4.3.4 of BS42020 (BSI, 2013) states that ‘evidence of qualifications, additional training and experience should always be available on request as further evidence of an individual’s competence in a particular field of knowledge or area of expertise’,  Chapter 11, Box 11.5 within the Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists Good Practice Guidelines (Collins, 2023) recommends adding relevant licences for surveys within survey reports and Section 1.3 Licensing states “A suitably qualified ecologist (in other words a competent ecologist) is required by BS42020 to undertake bat surveys. Some Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) will also have specific requirements regarding surveyors being licensed if carrying out bat surveys for planning purposes, so local requirements should always be checked.” As an authority, when we consider applications that include a protected species survey, it is important for us to understand the surveyors experience and any licence requirements that may be needed, so confidence can be placed that the impact assessment and mitigation/recommendations have been appropriately assessed and all legalities covered. Therefore, if submitting any protected species reports it is important to include any species licence details of the surveyor within the report.

Further information on Protected sites and species can be found here, and the CIEEM Competencies for Species Survey in Britain and Ireland can be found here,  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the team at YDNPA Planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk or wildlifeconservation@yorkshiredales.org.uk.   

Public right of way information

The route of the right of way must be clearly marked on a proposed site plan at a scale where its distance from any development can be measured (such as 1:200 or in some cases 1:100 may also be necessary). In the event that the proposal would require a diversion of a public right of way, the existing and diverted routes should be identified and clearly labelled on a site plan and a statement should be included in the application to explain why the diversion is necessary as well as an assessment of how it would affect the enjoyment and convenience of the use of the public right of way. The impact of the proposal on the public right of way would be a material consideration in determining the planning application but if granted, would not authorise any proposed diversion as this would need to be subject to a separate application for a diversion order that can be made under either the Highways Act 1980 or the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Rural enterprise questionnaire

Dwellings in the open countryside may sometimes be allowed, contrary to general housing policies, if it is clear that such a dwelling is essential to ensure the efficient management of a rural enterprise. Therefore, you will need to provide sufficient information to help us assess the need for the creation of a new dwelling to serve a rural enterprise. Please use the form provided by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment

A Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), which will show the impacts of a proposed development, in accordance with the requirements of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. The HRA must be informed by the Nutrient Neutrality Assessment and Mitigation Strategy. As an HRA must be based on scientific information it should be undertaken by a competent person such as an ecologist.

Structural survey

A survey of the structural stability carried out by a qualified structural engineer or other qualified person accepted by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to find out the extent of any reconstruction required; or a signed statement from an experienced local builder, accompanied by drawings indicating extent of anticipated rebuilding.

Sustainable drainage report (SUDS)

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and House of Commons Written Statement HCWS161 require planning authorities to ensure that sustainable drainage systems for the management of runoff are put in place unless demonstrated to be inappropriate. Planning authorities must also ensure that through the use of planning conditions or planning obligations that there are clear arrangements in place for ongoing maintenance over the lifetime of the development.

Guidance: