Statutory planning notice
Local planning authorities must undertake a formal period of public consultation before making a decision on a planning application.
Statutory notices ensure local residents are informed about applications that affect them. The requirement for publicising planning applications are set out in Article 13 of the Development Management Procedure (England) Order.
There are separate arrangements for listed buildings and conservation areas, set out in Regulation 5 of the Listed Building and Conservation Area Regulations. There are further publicity and consultation requirements for applicants where an Environmental Impact Assessment is required, and these are described in the Environment Impact Assessment guidance.
If an application is approved without having had the proper publicity, the local Government Ombudsman can, in certain circumstances, agree payment of a limited amount of compensation, but they will not revoke the planning consent.
The broad requirements are summarised in the table below, which is from the government’s Planning Practice and Guidance, Consultation and pre-decision matters.
| Type of development | Site notice | Site notice or neighbour notification letter | Newspaper advertisement | Website |
| Applications for major development as defined in Article 2 of the Development Management Procedure Order | X | X | X | |
| Applications subject to Environmental Impact Assessment which are accompanied by an environmental statement | X | X | X | |
| Applications which do not accord with the development plan in force in the area | X | X | X | |
| Applications which would affect a right of way to which Part 3 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 applies | X | X | X | |
| Applications for planning permission not covered in the entries above eg non-major development | X | X | ||
| Applications for listed building consent where works to the exterior of the building are proposed | X | X | X | |
| Applications to vary or discharge conditions attached to a listed building consent or conservation area consent, or involving exterior works to a listed building. | X | X | X |
In December 2014, Secretary of State for Local Government, Eric Pickles announced that ‘…public bodies must do more than just provide an obscure notice on the depths of a council’s website’ and invited invited councils, local newspapers and others to take part in piloting ways of improving the provision of statutory notices using new technology.
The pilots were intended to provide evidence about what the public wants to be or should be informed about, how they want to be informed and what works and does not work. They ran from March 2015 to the end of August 2015. Ref Councils and media invited to bring statutory notices into 21st century. 23 December 2014.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Conservation areas.
- Consultation process.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Listed buildings.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- National Planning Practice Guidance.
- Non-statutory consultees.
- Planning objection.
- Planning permission.
- Stakeholder management.
- Stakeholder map.
- Stakeholders.
- Statutory authorities.
- Third party dependencies.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.