Residents and businesses urged to have their say on shaping planning application guidelines

People are being invited to have their say on an important “checklist” document that sets exactly what needs to be on a planning application submission.

The council is currently preparing the Stoke-on-Trent Local Validation List (LVL) as part of its role as the local planning authority. It covers everything from house extensions to large-scale residential and business developments.

The guidelines in the LVL are expected to speed up the planning process by weeding out applications with missing information.

In order to determine planning applications as efficiently as possible it is essential they are submitted with all the information required to determine them. But it is also crucial that these requirements are proportionate and do not force applicants to incur unnecessary expense.

The LVL ensures a balance is struck between the two, leading to a smoother process for applicants, their agents and planning officers as well as supporting new development within the city.

In the year to October 2024, data shows four in 10 planning applications in Stoke-on-Trent were deemed invalid because documents were missing or inaccurate.

This slows the planning process, increasing the workload of city council staff and delays decisions on development for applicants.

Views are now being sought on the production of the new LVL. The public consultation starts on Monday, 21 July and runs throughout the summer until Monday, 1 September.

Anyone wishing to have their say can visit the dedicated consultation portal via Planning Consultations | Planning Consultations | Stoke-on-Trent

Alternatively, for more information, email the Planning Policy Team at planning.policy@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 233905.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance at Stoke-on-Trent city council, said: “We’re committed to engaging with the community on a variety of key areas, including important development and planning policies.

“The Local Validation List is crucial in weighing up what details are required for an application while making sure the applicant is not spending unnecessary time and expense submitting one.

“It will also help to cut down on invalid applications, which wastes time and slows the process down for applicants, which can be frustrating.

“That’s why I’m encouraging as many people to come forward to have their say and let us know if the guidelines we have set out in the latest version of this important document strike that balance.”