Information you need for your planning application

​​​​​Information needed for a planning application

There’s a minimum level of information that must be submitted for each application so that everyone can understand your proposal.

The mandatory requirements for all applications are set out here:

Validation requirements for planning applications​

We'll publish everything submitted in conn​ection with a planning application on the Planning Register. We do not include any personal information and we may blank out some sections of documents for publication in line with the advice​ set out here.

When you have submitted your application, we'll review it to make sure it contains the minimum level of information required to understand the proposal. If your application does not contain the information we need, we'll explain what needs to be provided. 

That information must be provided within 28 days of the request. If we do not receive the information within that timescale, we'll assume that you do not wish to pursue the matter and the application will become inactive. You may apply again at any time after that, but we will require the full submission of all the documents at that time.

If your application has the information we need, we’ll send you a fee breakdown with information on how to pay. Once your payment is received, we’ll register your application.

Once your payment is received, we’ll register your application. We aim to register your application within three working days from receiving the correct  information and a full fee.

Descriptions and design statements

You need to describe your proposal on every application form and reflect what is on the drawings. For example, single storey extension to north, new detached garage and new access.

When we register your application, we may amend your description to reflect a standardised wording to make it easier for everyone to understand. We'll let you know if we change your description.

A design statement (or planning statement) must be submitted with your application and should explain the details or background to the proposal. On bigger or unusual schemes they are valuable, to show compliance with the Island Plan and the Supplementary Planning Guidance, or on some occasions to justify a proposal which is not compliant with these policies.​

Drainage requirements

All applications must be accompanied by a Drainage Statement or Drainage Impact Assessment, unless they fall within the exceptions set out in the Validation requirements for Planning Applications checklist.

Drainage Statements must include the following information: 

• details of existing and proposed method of disposal of foul sewage to the public foul sewerage network 
• details of existing and proposed disposal of surface water to the public surface water sewerage network, watercourses, or the foreshore (Surface water management shall be based on hierarchy for surface water disposal as described in building regulations approved document).
• details of existing and proposed occupancy levels (calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.2.1 of the Liquid Waste Drainage Requirements for Developments, 2023)
  
• if the proposal involves soakaway, details of whether ground conditions been verified/tested to ensure feasibility 
• if the connection is to the public surface water system, please specify the existing and proposed hard standing surface area. 
  

Find more information on connecting to main​ drains.

Wildlife Trigger list

All applications must be accompanied by a Wildlife Trigger List

The form should be completed by someone who:

• understands the site
• understands the proposed development

This can be:

• the applicant
• an agent​
  

If you’re unsure, get advice from the Planning Department, a qualified ecologist or another suitability qualified person.

What your answers mean

If all answers are “No”:

• You do not need to submit ecological information at this stage. A planning officer may still request it later as part of the assessment of your application
  

This could lead to a in reaching a decision or lead to refusal. Applicants are therefore encouraged to seek advice if there is any uncertainty about whether ecological information is required.

If you answer “Yes” to any question:

• You must provide an ecological information. This must be prepared by a qualified ecologist or other suitably qualified person
  

If an ecologist or other suitably qualified person decides a report is not needed, you can submit a short written statement justifying this conclusion. Supporting photographs may also be helpful.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

In most circumstances, ecological information will be in the form of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.

This is an initial scoping assessment to identify:

• significant ecological features
• any evidence of protected species on or near the site
• understand the potential impacts which may arise because of the proposed development
  

A PEA can be carried out at any time of year but is ideally done between March and September.

If any impacts are minor and can be avoided through precautionary measures, a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) may be sufficient. However, if impacts cannot be avoided, or the PEA does not provide enough evidence to assess them, additional ecological surveys and a full Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) may be required. In such cases, these requirements may be attached as a condition of consent.

For more information see: Biodiversity g​uidance for​ ​planning applications and developments​

Validation requirements for planning applications

We’ve developed a checklist which includes all the requirements for planning applications, as set out in the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 and the Bridging Island Plan 2022 to 2025. The checklist will help you to make sure your application has everything required to be registered as complete.

Some Bridging Island Plan requirements will be triggered based on the proposal size or location. This information will be required for the application to be registered as complete. These requirements are detailed here: 

Validation requirements for planning applications

If you are unclear on the information requirements for a planning application, or wish to discuss these with us, please get in touch with us through the pre application advice service. More details on this service are available here: Pre-applicati​on planning advice​​