All that you need to make a planning application in Waltham Forest

Ownership certificates

It is a legal requirement that owners of land upon which a planning, a listed building consent or a conservation area consent application is being made are notified of that application. The term owner means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years. There can therefore be more than one owner (for example, the landlord and any tenants). If there was a change of ownership in the three weeks before an application is made, then the previous owners must be notified of the application in the same way as current owners.

If the applicant is the only owner of all the land involved in the application then the Certificate A on the main application form should be signed. If the applicant is not the only owner then you must complete one of the following certificates in the Ownership Certificate Form:

  • Certificate B is completed if you know the names and addresses of all the other owners of the land involved in the application.
  • Certificate C is completed if you know the names and addresses of some, but not all, the other owners of the land involved in the application.
  • Certificate D is completed if you do not know the names and addresses of any of the other owners of the land involved in the application.

With Certificates B and C you have to serve a Notice on the owner(s) that you know the names of, telling him/her that you are making the planning application.

For Certificates C and D you have to advertise the fact that you are making the application in the local press, and that you do not know the owner(s) of some or all of the land. You must send a copy of the published notice to us with your application forms.

When you have to serve a Notice on an owner, and you know their name and address, you may hand it personally to them, or send it by registered post or recorded delivery. If you have to serve a Notice on an organisation, you must address it to the Secretary or Clerk of the organisation at their registered or principal office.

Please note that anyone whom knowingly or recklessly issues a certificate that contains any statement that is false or misleading is liable to a fine if convicted. The Courts can quash any planning permission subsequently granted.