Section 37 Applications for orders granting development consentI1

England, Wales and Scotland

(1)

An order granting development consent may be made only if an application is made for it.

(2)

An application for an order granting development consent must be made to the F1Secretary of State.

(3)

An application for an order granting development consent must F2, so far as necessary to secure that the application (including accompaniments) is of a standard that the Secretary of State considers satisfactory—

(a)

specify the development to which it relates,

(b)

be made in the prescribed form, F3and

F4(c)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)

be accompanied by documents and information of a prescribed description.

F5(3A)

The documents and information prescribed under subsection (3)(d) may include documents and information demonstrating how any biodiversity gain objective in a biodiversity gain statement under Schedule 2A having effect in relation to the development is to be met.

(4)

The Secretary of State may give guidance about how the requirements under subsection (3) are to be complied with.

(5)

The Secretary of State may set standards for—

(a)

the preparation of a document required by subsection (3)(d);

(b)

the coverage in such a document of a matter falling to be dealt with in it;

(c)

all or any of the collection, sources, verification, processing and presentation of information required by subsection (3)(d).

(6)

The Secretary of State must publish, in such manner as F6the Secretary of State thinks appropriate, any guidance given under subsection (4) and any standards set under subsection (5).

F7(7)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8(8)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 37 substituted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 13 para. 5(2); S.I. 2012/628, art. 7(a)
F2: Words in s. 37(3) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 137(5), 240(2) (with s. 144); S.I. 2012/628, art. 7(a)
F3: Word in s. 37(3)(b) inserted (24.7.2026) by Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 6(2)(a)(i), 118(1)(c) (with s. 116); S.I. 2026/641, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 6)
F4: S. 37(3)(c) omitted (24.7.2026) by virtue of Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 6(2)(a)(ii), 118(1)(c) (with s. 116); S.I. 2026/641, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 6)
F5: S. 37(3A) inserted (7.5.2026) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), s. 147(3), Sch. 15 para. 7 (with s. 144); S.I. 2026/492, reg. 2(b)
F6: Words in s. 37(6) substituted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 13 para. 5(3); S.I. 2012/628, art. 7(a)
F7: S. 37(7) omitted (24.7.2026) by virtue of Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 6(2)(b), 118(1)(c) (with s. 116); S.I. 2026/641, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 6)
F8: S. 37(8) omitted (24.7.2026) by virtue of Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 6(2)(b), 118(1)(c) (with s. 116); S.I. 2026/641, reg. 3(c) (with reg. 6)

Commencement

I1: S. 37 in force at 1.10.2009 by S.I. 2009/2260, art. 2(b)