Not so long ago, a planning application consisted of an application form, a bundle of drawings, a cheque and a rubber band to hold it all together.

Today, the council’s validation checklist - which lists the information required to support an application - can be far longer; without the application itself!

Plus, those lists vary widely between local authorities. What is required in one may not be in another, and what would be considered a suitable standard in one might not make the grade elsewhere.