Invalid is not the same as refused
Validation asks whether the application contains the information needed to enter the assessment process. A refusal is a planning decision on the merits. When an application is invalid, the authority normally explains what is missing or defective and may give a deadline for correction.
Read the validation request precisely
Save the original message and separate each requested item. Identify the document title and revision the officer reviewed, because an upload mix-up can look like a drawing error. If the wording is unclear, ask what validation requirement has not been met before redrawing the site.
- Document or drawing name
- Exact defect described
- National or local-list requirement cited
- Correction deadline
- Portal, email or file-naming instructions
Common location-plan faults
Frequent problems include an incomplete or incorrect red line, access omitted from the site, other ownership not shown in blue, insufficient road or building context, missing north, an unsuitable scale, outdated mapping, a cropped boundary or absent licence information.
Common site or block-plan faults
A closer plan may be queried when it does not show the proposal, cannot distinguish existing from proposed work, omits boundaries or access, uses an unreadable scale, conflicts with the location plan or leaves out locally required site features.
File, print and licensing failures
A correct drawing can become invalid after export. Check that the final PDF has the intended page size, remains legible, opens normally and has not been compressed into a blurred image. For OS-based mapping, keep the required copyright acknowledgement and licence number; do not substitute a screenshot, photocopy or title plan.
Correction workflow
Work from the source file, not a screenshot of the rejected plan. Make the requested change, increment the revision, export a new PDF and compare it against both the validation note and every related drawing before uploading.
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Diagnose | Match each officer comment to the exact submitted document |
| Correct | Change the source plan and keep the superseded version |
| Cross-check | Confirm boundaries, address, scale and proposal agree across the pack |
| Verify | Open the exported PDF and check sheet size, print scale and legibility |
| Respond | Name the new revision clearly and state what was changed |
When the requirement seems unreasonable
First ask the authority to identify the relevant national requirement or item on its current local list. England's guidance says locally requested information must be on a published, up-to-date list and be reasonable and material to the application. There is a formal non-validation procedure, but resolving a proportionate request directly is usually quicker; professional advice may help where the site scope is disputed.
Prevent the same problem recurring
Keep a master drawing register and a pre-submission checklist. Use one verified red-line geometry across the pack, state paper size and scale on every drawing, use clear revision codes and perform the final check on the files that will actually be uploaded rather than on the design software screen.
Local requirements may differ. Check the current validation list for your planning authority before submitting.
Evidence checked 18 August 2026
Official sources and further reading
Planning requirements differ across the UK. The scope label on each source shows where it applies; always use the current rules for the authority receiving the application.
Questions people also ask
Does an invalid planning application mean permission has been refused?
No. It means the application has not yet met the information requirements for validation. The planning merits have not normally been assessed.
Will I have to pay the fee again?
Often the authority holds an invalid application while corrections are supplied, but procedures and deadlines vary. Confirm this immediately with the authority rather than assuming.
Should I replace every plan?
Only when needed. Correct the affected source document, then check related plans for consistency. Uploading unnecessary replacements can make the drawing record harder to follow.
What if the council says the PDF is not to scale?
Check the original page size, title-block scale and print settings. Re-export from the source at the intended sheet size and verify the scale bar at 100% or actual-size printing.
Can UKPlanningMaps.com help with a queried map?
For a map bought from UKPlanningMaps.com, call 01856 898 022 with the order reference and the authority's exact comment. Design drawings and planning advice may need the relevant designer or planning professional.
Ready to create your planning map?
Search by postcode or address, choose the scale and coverage, add your application boundary and download from UKPlanningMaps.com. For help with an unusual site, call 01856 898 022.
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