• Reviewed by a planning professional with 15+ years’ experience
• Based on published Local Planning Authority requirements where relevant
• Designed for architects, architectural technologists and planning consultants

Preparing a planning submission is not just a matter of completing a form. In practice, delays often arise because the application has been assembled inconsistently, key supporting documents are missing, or drawings do not meet the validation standard expected by the receiving authority.

This guide explains how to prepare and submit a planning application through UK Planning Gateway, what to check before submission, and what remains within the Local Planning Authority’s control after submission.

Before you start

Before creating a new application, make sure the project information is clear and internally consistent.

Common avoidable issues at this stage include inconsistent site addresses across forms and drawings, application names that do not clearly identify the site, missing contact details for correspondence, supporting documents prepared without scale bars or stated drawing scales, and files named in ways that are unclear to the case officer or validation team.

If you are returning to an existing draft and the platform is not displaying the latest information correctly, clear your browser cache before logging in.

Create an account or sign in before starting the submission. Drafts and submitted applications are stored within the dashboard so they can be revisited, reviewed and amended where the workflow allows.

Step 1. Create a new application

From the dashboard, select Start New Application.

When naming the application, use the site address rather than an internal project label. For example:

12 Oak Avenue, Leeds

This is a practical convention. Where practices are managing several live submissions at once, using the site address makes the application easier to identify internally and easier to trace later if correspondence needs to be checked against the LPA record.

Enter the site location using the postcode search and map tool. The platform uses this information to identify the relevant Local Planning Authority.

Then select the application type. If the correct route is unclear, review the guidance available within the workflow before proceeding.

Once these details are confirmed, the application is saved as a draft within the Applications area of the account.

Step 2. Complete the application form

Work through the form section by section. Progress indicators help show what has been completed and what remains outstanding.

Complete responses in sentence case. This improves legibility and presents the submission in a more controlled and professional way.

Where a question does not apply, use “Not applicable” only where that answer is genuinely appropriate. Do not use it to avoid a question that may still require explanation or supporting evidence.

For professional teams submitting on behalf of clients, this stage is also where consistency matters most. The address, description of development, ownership details and agent information should align with the drawings and supporting reports.

Electronic communications

Include the correct email address for correspondence and opt in to electronic communications where appropriate.

This matters operationally. If the LPA needs additional information, requests clarification, or issues validation queries, those communications are generally handled electronically. An incorrect or unchecked contact address can delay the response cycle unnecessarily.

Personal contact details entered into the application form are not intended to be published in the same way as application documents, but teams should still check carefully what is included in attachments before upload.

Step 3. Upload plans and supporting documents

Upload the drawings and supporting documents required for the application.

UK Planning Gateway accepts common file formats including PDFs, JPGs, DOCX and PNGs, subject to file size limits shown in the workflow.

Use clear and functional file names, such as:

• Site Location Plan
• Existing Elevations
• Proposed Floor Plans
• Design and Access Statement

Avoid vague or internal naming conventions such as “final version”, “updated plan”, or consultant file codes that have no meaning outside the project team.

Mandatory documents

Most planning applications require more information than the form alone can provide.

At submission stage, required documents generally fall into two categories.

National requirements
These are the supporting documents required by the application type and national validation framework.

Local requirements
These are additional documents specified by the receiving Local Planning Authority through its published local list or validation guidance.

Unless the required documents, or an accepted alternative method of submission where relevant, have been provided for each mandatory item, the application cannot usually proceed through the submission workflow.

This is an important distinction. A submission may be technically sent, but formal validation remains a matter for the LPA. UK Planning Gateway can structure and check the submission against the workflow, but it does not replace the authority’s own validation process.

Drawing and document checks

Before uploading, check that plans include:

• a scale bar
• a north arrow where relevant
• the stated drawing scale or paper size
• legible annotations
• consistent site boundaries and labels

Where possible, use A3 for readable drawing output unless the document type requires a different format.

Also review documents for personal data that should not be included, such as direct phone numbers, email addresses, signatures or internal comments left on PDFs.

These checks matter because validation problems often arise from presentation issues rather than planning merit. A well-prepared application pack helps the receiving authority review the submission without unnecessary back and forth.

Additional supporting material

You may also upload supporting documents that are not strictly mandatory but are materially relevant to the proposal. This may include a heritage statement, flood risk information, tree information, or design justification, depending on the site and proposal.

Do not try to submit a separate application by attaching a completed PDF application form to another live application. Each planning application must be submitted through its own route.

Step 4. Check the application fee and arrange payment

Review the fee shown for the selected application type and confirm the payment route available in the workflow.

Before payment, make sure the application type, site address and description are correct. Fee issues are often harder to resolve after submission than before it.

Where the workflow shows the fee and payment status, use that as the working record for the submission. Keep a copy of any confirmation issued.

Step 5. Review and submit

Before selecting submit, carry out a final review of:

• the site address
• the description of development
• applicant and agent details
• uploaded drawings and reports
• document naming
• mandatory supporting information
• fee status

If the dashboard shows the sections as complete, use that as a prompt to review, not as a substitute for review.

A common professional error is assuming that a technically complete form is the same as a submission-ready application. It is not. The documents still need to make sense as a pack when read by the receiving authority.

Once submitted, an acknowledgement and reference should be issued through the application workflow. Keep that reference available for future correspondence.

Step 6. Amend or update the application

If changes are needed before the application has been validated by the Local Planning Authority, use the amendment function available in the dashboard where the workflow permits it.

After validation, further changes are generally controlled by the LPA’s process rather than the submission platform. At that point, the authority should be contacted directly if revisions, substitutions or clarifications are required.

All versions, uploads and submission activity should be retained within the account record for reference.

What happens after submission

Submission through UK Planning Gateway does not itself amount to formal validation by the Local Planning Authority.

After receipt, the authority will review:

• the application form
• the supporting documents
• the fee position
• any local validation requirements
• whether further information is needed before registration

If anything is missing or unclear, the LPA may contact the applicant or agent directly.

This is an important point for professionals managing client expectations. Submission is the point at which the application enters the authority’s process. Validation remains the authority’s decision.

Frequently asked questions

How do I submit a planning application online through UK Planning Gateway?

Create or access an account, start a new application, complete the form, upload the required supporting documents, check the fee position, then review and submit the application through the dashboard.

Can I track the application after submission?

Yes. The dashboard keeps the application record, associated files and workflow status together in one place. Formal progress on validation and determination remains with the Local Planning Authority.

What documents are usually required?

That depends on the application type, the nature of the proposal and the authority’s published local list. In many cases, the submission will include plans, forms and supporting statements, with additional technical reports where the site or proposal requires them.

Can changes be made after submission?

In some cases, changes can be made before the application is validated, using the workflow provided in the account. After validation, any amendment route is generally managed through the Local Planning Authority’s process.