Chapter 4: Grant and Implementation of Planning Permission Chapter 6: Other Provision Section 327ZA: Planning applications in England: powers as to form and content
The effect of subsections (1) to (2) of new section 327ZA is to enable provision requiring or permitting applicants applying for planning permission (or permission in principle) to submit planning applications and supporting documents by particular electronic means or in accordance with any prescribed data standard in respect of those electronic means. The power applies to any existing relevant power to make provision by secondary legislation about the form and manner in which applications are to be made and an associated document be provided (subsection (1)).
	Subsection (3) enables the Secretary of State to make provision in secondary legislation setting out the circumstances when a planning authority may or must accept an application which does not comply with the electronic submission requirements, including applicable data standards.
	Subsections (4) and (5) make provision for secondary legislation that requires a planning application or any associated documents (or any part of those documents) to be prepared or endorsed by a person who has a particular qualification or experience (for example, ecological information may have to be prepared by a fully qualified ecologist).
	Subsections (6) to (8) have the effect of allowing the Secretary of State to make provision to impose submission requirements by reference to material published on a government website, which may change from time to time. This may include provision requiring planning applications (and associated documents) to be made using a specified form which accords with prescribed specifications (such as data standards).
	Subsections (9) to (10) provide that the new power applies to existing relevant powers in respect of manner and form regardless of the terms in which the existing power is conferred.
	Subsection (11) provides definitions of key terms to be used in this section including "associated document" and "planning application".
	Subsections (2) to (7) enable the Secretary of State to make provision under section 327ZA for: approval of biodiversity gain plans within paragraph 14 of Schedule 7A to the TCPA; applications for listed building consent under the Listed Building Act; hazardous substance consent under the Planning Hazardous Substances Act; and applications made pursuant to conditions attached to such consent.