Planning Applications (s62A)
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-10)

Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows applications for planning permission and reserved matters consent to be made directly to the Secretary of State where the Local Planning Authority for the area has been designated for this purpose. Designations are made by the Secretary of State.

Where a Local Planning Authority is designated, eligible applications can, if the applicant chooses, be made directly to the Secretary of State. The Planning Inspectorate will handle the applications on their behalf.

Current designations

Bristol City Council are designated under Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in respect of applications for planning permission for non-major development. This designation has effect from 09.00 on 6 March 2024 and shall remain in force until revoked.

Lewes District Council are designated under Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in respect of applications for planning permission for major development. This designation has effect from 09.00 on 8 May 2024 and shall remain in force until revoked.

Will all applications in the designated Authorities be submitted to the Secretary of State?

No, not all applications will come to the Secretary of State. The applicant has the freedom of choice of whether to make an application to the Local Planning Authority or to apply to the Planning Inspectorate.

Will Councils always be subject to this form of designation?

It is not expected that local authorities will always be designated. If their performance improves then the designation may be removed. Designations will be reviewed annually by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Some Local Planning Authorities may remain designated, others will be de-designated. Similarly, other Local Planning Authorities may become subject to designation in later years.

What type of application can be made?

Only applications for the type of development for which the local planning authority has been designated can be made to the Secretary of State through these provisions.

Major (district) development is:
- for housing, development where 10 or more homes will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more
- the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000 square metres or more; or
- development carried out on a site having an area of 1 hectare or more.
Non-major development is development that does not meet/exceed any of the thresholds above.

County Matter development is:
- the winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits: or
- waste development.
There are a number of types of planning applications that cannot be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate under section 62A. These include:
- applications where the development has already been carried out (retrospective applications);
- householder applications; and
- applications for development without complying with conditions (applications to vary or remove conditions).
Procedural Guidance

For a detailed explanation of the application and pre-application process (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-applications-process-section-62a-authorities-in-special-measures).

Applications submitted
- Bristol City Council (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/section-62a-planning-applications-in-bristol-city-council)
- St Albans City and District Council (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/section-62a-planning-applications-in-st-albans-city-and-district-council)
- Uttlesford District Council (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/section-62a-planning-applications)