Waltham Forest Council has updated its planning application requirements to provide more clarity and certainty for both the authority and applicants. The updated Local Validation Requirements List was adopted during an Executive Decision meeting on Thursday, 4 September 2025.

The updated list, which is used to validate planning applications, aims to ensure that submissions include all necessary information from the outset, streamlining the process and avoiding delays. The move follows a review mandated by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which requires local planning authorities to review their information requirements at least every two years.

The updated list incorporates a new national requirement for fire statements for certain developments, as well as documents required by the 2021 London Plan. It also includes updated weblinks and references, a national requirement for biodiversity net gain information, and updated requirements for various assessments and plans due to new Local Plan policy and best practices.

Specifically, the new fire statement requirement applies to development involving new or existing buildings 18 metres or more in height; or 7 or more storeys, or development within the curtilage of such buildings containing two or more dwellings or education accommodation .

Several assessments and plans now have updated requirements, including air quality assessments, basement impact assessments, biodiversity reports, construction demolition statements, district heat assessments, marketing strategy assessments, construction logistics plans, delivery and servicing plans, flood risk assessments, lighting assessments, parking management plans, retail impact assessments, and surface water drainage assessments.

The council conducted a three-week online consultation in June and July 2025, receiving seven responses. Adjustments were made to the list and checklists based on the feedback. These changes included:

  • Amending the checklist to reflect the Planning Portal's 10mb upload limit.
  • Applying basement impact assessment requirements to extending or deepening existing basements and to basements/subterranean structures beneath outbuildings.
  • Ensuring the impact of proposed lighting on biodiversity is addressed.
  • Revising flood risk assessment requirements.

One comment noted that the council doesn't always take a flexible and pragmatic approach. The council responded:

Noted. The Council seeks to reach to right balance between ensuring that applications are submitted with correct and sufficient documentation to enable determination without requests for further information, which can delay the process, and not overburdening applicants.

Another comment stated that several of the local requirements appear disproportionate when applied to small-scale schemes. The council responded that in some cases Local Plan or London Plan policies/guidance set out the scale of development where the information is required and therefore the checklist has to follow this.

For example, the Public reports pack 04th-Sep-2025 12.00 Executive Decision notes that requirements such as Crime Prevention/Safer Places Reports, Daylight/Sunlight Assessments, and Construction Logistics Plans should include more specific thresholds or clearer criteria to guide applicants on whether or not they apply. The report pack also notes that several of the local requirements appear disproportionate when applied to small-scale schemes. For example, the requirement for a full Planning Fire Safety Strategy (PFSS) or Reasonable Exception Statement even for small-scale, low-risk alterations could be burdensome for applicants unfamiliar with London Plan policy D12A.

According to the Public reports pack 04th-Sep-2025 12.00 Executive Decision, the alternative to adopting the Local Validation Requirements List would be to allow planning applications to be submitted using only the National Validation Requirements. However, the council believes that combining national and local requirements provides more certainty for both the authority and applicants.

The Local Validation Requirements list supports the priorities of Mission Waltham Forest, the council's corporate strategy, by helping to:

  • Ensure every family and every child are given every opportunity
  • Build an economy that works for everyone
  • Make Waltham Forest a great place to live and age well
  • Tackle the housing crisis head on
  • Lead the way for a net-zero borough
  • Create safe, green neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive

An Equalities Analysis Screening was conducted, considering age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex (including gender re-assignment), sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and care leavers. The screening determined that there were no negative/adverse impacts on any of these groups.