What is the validation document?

The validation document sets out the information and documents required to accompany planning applications submitted to Worcestershire County Council, as the County Planning Authority for minerals, waste management and the County Council’s own development.  

This gives greater certainty on what information is required for applications of a particular type, scale or location, helping to make things simpler for those looking to apply for planning permission, but also allows the County Council to accept, validate and determine applications more efficiently, reducing delays that may otherwise occur in the processing of planning applications.

Should you be seeking to find out what information is required to accompany planning applications for all other types of developments such as residential (e.g. housing estates), householder (e.g. extensions), retail (e.g. shops) or commercial (e.g. offices) then please contact your District Council. 

The current validation document

The current validation document, was published in July 2022 and was previously amended to take account of the National Planning Policy Framework (July 2021) and updated hyperlinks to further information and guidance. 

Following the adoption of the Worcestershire Minerals Local Plan, and as part of the County Council's wider 'Open for Business' agenda, we consulted on the Planning Validation Document Review between July and September 2023. A total of 14 comments were received, which have been considered in detail by the County Council. 

Response document

The response document summaries all the comments received on the above public consultation on the validation document and outlines the County Council's response to them. However, following the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework, and Biodiversity Net Gain legislation and associated guidance, we have updated the document and are re-consulting on our revised Planning Validation Document:

• Draft Planning Validation Document (PDF)
• Checklist 1: County Council's own developments (PDF)
• Checklist 2: Outline planning applications (PDF)
• Checklist 3: Mineral working (PDF)
• Checklist 4: Waste management facilities (PDF)
• Checklist 5: Landfill (PDF)
• Checklist 6: Lawful Development Certificate – Existing use (PDF)
• Checklist 7: Lawful Development Certificate – Proposed use (PDF)
• Checklist 8: Advertisements (PDF)
• Checklist 9: Demolition (PDF)
• Checklist 10: Removal or variation of conditions (PDF)
• Appendix 1: Biodiversity and Local Requirements for Protected Species (PDF)
• Appendix 2: Geodiversity and Local Requirements (PDF)
• Appendix 3: Lead Local Flood Authority’s Surface Water Checklist (PDF)
• Appendix 4: Health Impact Assessment Screening Template (PDF)

The revised Planning Validation Document will allow us to continue accepting and validating planning applications in a timely and efficient manner.

Consultation

The re-consultation on the revised Planning Validation Document runs until 11 March 2024.

You can make comments on the Document in the following way:

• e-mail: validdoc@worcestershire.gov.uk 
• post: Development Management, Worcestershire County Council, Directorate of Economy and Infrastructure, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP

Please note, any information submitted will be in the public domain. 

The Council is a "Controller" for data protection legislation purposes (including the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR). Find out more information about how the Council will handle your personal data in our full Privacy Notice and service specific Planning Policy Privacy Notice. Hard copies of this can also be provided on request.

Should you wish to discuss the above consultation, please contact Mr Steven Aldridge, Team Manager, Planning Development Management on: Tel: 01905 843510 or Email: validdoc@worcestershire.gov.uk.