The various planning application forms currently used by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) differ in the questions asked, their style and the number of copies needed for submission.

The electronic 1APP will remove the differences in application forms by ensuring the same information will be required for comparable applications by every LPA in England. This standardisation will make the planning system clearer and more efficient for planning professionals and citizens alike.

It will save applicants time and effort in completing applications and will offer guidance and help at every stage.

1APP, in its online form will intelligently determine the planning consent type required and specify the LPAs additional information requirements, significantly increasing the chances of a valid application being submitted first time.

Seperate paper forms for each type of application will still be available.

The benefits from 1APP:

If you're a planning professional

• a simpler, streamlined application process
  
• familiarising yourself with just one form for all your applications
  
• saving standard information (e.g your address and contact information) so you needn't re-enter it for every application

if you're a member of the general public

• a simpler more transparent planning process
  
• clear online guidance where and when you need it during the application process
  
• a better chance of submitting a valid planning application

Timescales

1APP will become the only legal way of submitting a planning application within England on 6th April 2008 (except for minerals).

The City of York Council will shortly be accepting the new electronic 1APP form. The various application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded here and for further information visit the Planning Portal.

A new Validation Checklist

The Council approved a validation checklist, containing the national criteria and locally defined criteria, for consultation purposes on 19th February 2008. The list has been formulated in partnership with other authorities within North Yorkshire to give some consistency to the type of information that may be required within the local area. A copy of the checklist is available to download on the right handside.

Any comments received have been included in the report and taken into account when the Planning Committee met to adopt a checklist on the 27 March 2008.

Biodiversity requirements

These tables contain the application requirements for protected species and can be downloaded on the right handside.