Decision details

To adopt an updated ‘Local List’ (Dorset Council Planning Applications: National and Local List of Validation Requirements) to set out the supporting information that is required to be submitted alongside planning applications. The updated list will take effect from 2 February 2026. 

This decision is taken under delegated powers, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning and the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Council’s four planning committees (as set out below). Paragraph 136 of the Officer Scheme of Delegation (which forms part of the Council’s constitution) provides the following delegated powers: 

“To undertake all action in respect of administering / processing any application under any of the Town and Country Planning Legislation including the power to: 

(a)  determine whether any application has been validly made and/or whether to decline to register and/or determine any application including to decline to determine any application which s/he considers to be a repeat application, relating to an extant enforcement action and/or as a result of the submission of inadequate/insufficient information; 

(b)  determine what, and the extent of, information required in respect of any application, including any environmental impact assessment and/or any other assessment and/or report…” 

This delegated authority has been passed to me by the Local Scheme of Nomination for Planning Services – Executive Director of Place. 

The National Planning Policy Framework (paragraph 45) states that “Local planning authorities should publish a list of their information requirements for applications for planning permission. These requirements should be kept to the minimum needed to make decisions, and should be reviewed at least every two years. Local planning authorities should only request supporting information that is relevant, necessary and material to the application in question”. This list of information requirements is referred to as the Local List. 

The Council’s current Local List was adopted on 1 October 2022 and has since been updated on a number of occasions, with the most recent update being published on 11 December 2025. Given the time that has passed since the last full review of the Local List, a further review has been undertaken. The review offers the opportunity to ensure that the Council is obtaining the information needed to enable the assessment and determination of planning applications. Officers have undertaken a review of the Local List. A draft updated Local list was circulated to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning and the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the four planning committees in June 2025. The draft Local List was subsequently published for consultation between 16 June and 14 July 2025. Regular planning agents, town and parish councils, and Dorset Council members were notified of the consultation on the draft Local List. Following the close of the consultation, officers considered all the comments received and made some minor changes to the Local List in response to points raised. The updated Local List has now been finalised and is ready to adopt. The key changes from the previous Local List are summarised below: 

• Biodiversity net gain: Simplified national requirements while keeping links to government guidance, as the process is now well-established. 

• Clearer separation: Biodiversity net gain and ecological reports now have distinct sections to clarify their requirements. 

• Battery storage safety: A new section on battery energy storage safety statements, following concerns about fire risks raised at planning committee. 

• Listed buildings guidance: Enhanced advice from the conservation team on what to include in applications. 

• Tree survey updates: The arboricultural impact assessments section has been restructured based on feedback from the tree team. 

• National Landscapes: Reference to updated National Landscape Management Plans. 

• Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy: Requirement for applicants to set out how Dorset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been considered as part of the Biodiversity Gain Statement. 

• Better links: Improved references throughout the document to guide applicants and agents. 

• Simplified checklists: Following feedback from planning agents, we’re developing easier-to-follow validation checklists. The first of these for householder applications and listed building consent are now available on the website. 

• Heritage statement template: Created by the conservation team to assist applicants is now live on the website. 

The updated Local List will provide clarity to applicants as to the information required at the outset for the assessment of planning applications. It has been prepared in line with national planning policy and guidance and has been subject to consultation as set out above. I therefore consider that it is appropriate to adopt the updated Local List. 

The alternative option of not reviewing the Council’s Local List would not be in line with national policy and guidance, which sets out that Local Lists should be reviewed every two years. 

No conflicts of interest declared.