From 10 August 2006, the regime governing the submission of outline planning applications will significantly change.

The most important change is that the matters that can be reserved for subsequent approval are now:

• layout
• scale
• appearance
• access, and
• landscaping

In addition outline planning applications must now include as a minimum information on:

• the use or uses proposed and any distinct development zones within the site
• the amount of development proposed for each use
• an indicative layout identifying, where appropriate, the separate development zones proposed
• scale parameters - an indication of the upper and lower limits for the height, width and length of each building, and
• indicative access points

The Council may, where it considers appropriate, require further information and/or consideration of one or more of the reserved matters before it can consider the application.

Outline planning applications must be accompanied by a design and access statement.

These changes have resulted from amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order. A more detailed explanation of the changes is set out in Section 2 of Circular 01/2006 issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government.