Access New Local Validation Checklist HERE

Dartmoor National Park Authority has updated its Local Validation Checklist which sets out the information required to accompany planning and related applications.

The 2025 checklist will take effect from Friday 7 November 2025.

Any application received on or after Monday 10 November 2025 will be validated in accordance with the updated requirements.

Key changes from the 2022 checklist

There are three main updates in the 2025 version:

• Updated format to make the document easier to use
• Further detail on the required content and format of each supporting document type to ensure submitted information is consistent and complete
• Updates to validation requirements in light of changes with national policy

In addition, the following supporting documents are now required for some applications:

• A Carbon Reduction Statement: to evidence how proposals are complying with Strategic Policy 1.6 Sustainable Construction. This requirement requires a short statement for householder applications and requires technical assessments for new residential and non-residential buildings.
• Evidence for Replacement Homes: this clarifies the requirements for wholesale replacement of existing houses (policy 3.8 Replacement Homes) and in particular the supporting information required to show the energy efficiency of a new build would outweigh the carbon cost of the demolition of an existing building.
• An Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings Statement: For new dwellings, this statement confirms whether a scheme can fully or partly comply with Strategic Policy 3.2 Size and accessibility of new housing. Where schemes cannot comply with the requirements the statement provides an opportunity for applicants to explain why and this in turn enables planning officers to make an informed decision.

We recommend all applicants and agents familiarise themselves with the updated requirements before submitting new applications.

For further advice or clarification, please contact the visit our Planning Advice page.

Local Validation Checklist - Consultation Statement 2025

If would would like to understand how public engagement informed the preparation of the new Local Validation Checklist, please read our Consultation Statement. It should be read in conjunction with the Statement of Community Involvement which sets out how engagement for planning documents in Dartmoor National Park are undertaken.