Before submitting any application please ensure you have read the Cornwall Council Validation GuideThis document:
- provides guidance
- helps avoid invalid submissions
- helps avoid delays in validation due to missing information
Validation Guide updated to version 1.7 on 10/04/2024. Please see table of validation updates for further information. You my need to refresh your browser to ensure you are viewing the most up to date version.
This page tells you validation timescales and how to:
- submit a planning application
- download forms
- make a payment and
- where to get help and advice.
9
The number of days quoted is indicative of when most applications are validated. Updated 18 June 2025.
* The DMPO defines 'working day' as 'a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday or other Public Holiday.' Any applications submitted on a non-working day or after 5pm on a working day will be classed as being received the next working day.
For information on the top 10 reasons why applications are invalid on receipt please visit the make a better application page.
Not sure which application to submit or if one is required?
See below links for guidance:
- Do I need planning permission
- Planning fees and charges supplementary document
- Pre-application and pre-planning advice
- Advice for planning applicants
Submit electronically
To help speed up the planning process all our applicants and agents are encouraged to submit electronically.
You can use the Planning Portal to submit and pay for your application online.
Planning Portal
Planning Portal is a service to submit planning applications electronically. Registration is easy and you can complete your application form, upload supporting documents and pay fees online.
It should be noted that this site is not run by Cornwall Council. If you experience any difficulties with this website please contact support@planningportal.co.uk or 0333 323 4589
Following feedback, the Planning Portal has increased their file limit from 10mb to 25mb. This means you can now submit more of your documents through the Planning Portal.
If you are submitting following a withdrawal, refusal, approval or returned application, please do not use the amend application function and submit an updated version of an existing application. A new application will need to be created with a new reference.
If you are unable to submit electronically via the Planning Portal, please download forms and send to the following address.
Cornwall Council - Planning Department
New County Hall
Treyew Road
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 3AY.
The use of a file share/transfer site should only be used in agreement with the Development Support Team. This method of providing information will only be accepted where submitting documents via the Planning Portal, hard copy or email is not an option.
Guidance
In addition to the Validation Guide, the following information may also assist:
- Tree Application Validation Document
- Prior notification guidance note
- Planning application descriptions
For householder applications, applicants may wish to consider an accredited agent.
Please also visit our:
- Additional Development Guidance page for more technical guidance including:
- Validation updates page. This provides up to date information and changes.
- Make a better application page. This includes the top 10 invalid reasons as well as advice on what to submit
- Interactive mapping. This can help identify some of the constraints and designations at the site
To view constraints and designations follow the above link to interactive mapping. Once the relevant area has been identified using the location search select the layers tab. Most designations can be found by expanding the Environment and Planning option. However there are also mapping layers for Listed Building, Historic Environment and Public Rights of Way.
Contaminated Land
There is currently no publicly available layer on our interactive mapping which provides information on contaminated land. In order to determine whether a site could potentially be affected by contamination please see page 4 of the following document:
Privacy statement
Privacy Notices - Planning and Sustainable Development Service
Planning fees
For information on:
- Statutory planning fees
- How to calculate fees
- How to pay planning fees
- Other fee guidance
Please visit the statutory planning fees and guidance page:
Statutory planning fees and guidance
Download forms
Most application forms are available via the Planning Portal:Find and download paper formsOnly forms which are not available via the Planning Portal can be downloaded below.
Please note from 1 April 2022 planning applications which can be submitted via the Planning Portal will no longer be accepted by email.
Important information - please download and save a copy of the below forms before making any amendments. Any information completed directly onto the form and forwarded will be lost.
- Tree Application Documents
- Tree Works Application Submission Guide 2017 V2
- Joint Statement By The Environment And Planning And Sustainable Development Services September 2020
- Dead And Dangerous Tree Notice Advice Note
- Trees and Planning - managing and increasing trees through the planning process
The following can be submitted using our online forms:
See CIL forms
For more information on CIL please see the Community Infrastructure Levy page
New development should make contributions if located within the Zones of Influence from:
- Plymouth and Tamar Estuaries Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area
- Falmouth and Helford Special Area of Conservation
- Penhale Dunes Special Area of Conservation.
Applications submitted after 9 August require an Appropriate Assessment. You can find the forms using these links:
- Form 1 - AA Template for Penhale Dunes
- Form 2 - AA Template for Fal and Helford Contributions
- Form 3 - AA Template for Plymouth Sound Estuaries SAC Tamar Estuaries SPA
- Form 4 - AA Template for Fal and Helford and Penhale Dunes Combined
Guidance on completion of Appropriate Assessment Templates
Guidance on types of development requiring mitigation
S111 forms and payments should now be submitted online via the online s111 form and online payment system.
The S111 agreement should be signed by the applicant or owner of the development.
The form requires a planning reference. Please only submit once the application has been submitted via the Planning Portal. and the Planning Portal reference is known. If submitting an application via email or hard copy please wait for planning to supply you with the planning application reference number.
Information and guidance can be found on the Planning Policy Guidance page.
Renewable Energy Offsetting by S111 Agreement
Offsetting applies where a new build residential proposal has a renewable energy deficit. This means the amount the energy demand exceeds the renewable energy provided. Where there will not be a S106 Agreement the offsetting is made under a S111 agreement. For S111 Agreements, the landowner(s) must complete the form.
Before completing the S111 form you will need Cornwall Council to agree the amount to be paid. This will usually be discussed during the consideration of the application.
To complete the form you will need a
- Planning portal reference;
- Planning application number; or
- planning appeal reference.
- Application For Modification Or Discharge Of A Planning Obligation (Section 106)
- Foul Drainage Assessment Form
- Notice Under Article 13 Of Application For Planning Permission Notice For Service On Individuals (As Referred To In The Application Form)
- Supplementary Information For An Application To Erect An Agricultural Horticultural Forestry Or Other Occupational Dwelling, Or For Temporary Accommodation To Serve A Farm
- Ownership Certificate 2015
- Site Notice Under Part 11 Of Schedule 2 For Prior Notification Submissions
- Application For Planning Permssion For Mineral Extraction And Ancillary Operations Developements Form With Form
- Heritage Assessment Template
- Gypsy Traveller Declaration Form
- Householder And Minor Extension Flood Risk Assessment Form Interactive
- Householder And Minor Extension FRA Guidance
- Ecia Checklist To Be Submitted With Report At Validation
- Green Infrastructure Form Minor Developements
- Ecological Survey Calendar
- Ecology Trigger List (HH)
- Ecology Trigger List (Minor And Others)
- Self And Custom Build Proforma