When a CLP Is Required

The TfL and CLOCS guidance sets three levels of anticipated impact: Lower, Medium and Higher. The level is assessed against approximate construction cost, community considerations and development size. The guidance is explicit that the table is indicative and the actual level of impact could be higher or lower depending on a number of considerations, so the authority has the final say.

From the TfL and CLOCS guidance, by approximate construction cost: Lower is under £2m, Medium is over £2m, and Higher is over £23m. By size: Medium is 10 or more residential units, or creation or change of use of 1,000 square metres or more of floorspace. Higher is 100 or more residential units, or creation or change of use of 10,000 square metres or more of floorspace. Lower covers all developments falling outside the Higher and Medium definitions.

Twelve residential units puts you at or above the 10 unit threshold, which places the scheme in the Medium impact band on size alone. On that basis the guidance expects an Outline CLP with the planning application and a Detailed CLP before construction. Construction cost and community considerations can push the assessment either way, so confirm with the authority.

Usually not a standalone one. A single dwelling falls outside the Medium and Higher definitions, so it sits in the Lower impact band, where the guidance indicates construction logistics can be addressed within a Transport Assessment rather than a separate CLP. However the guidance also notes a Detailed CLP may still be required for lower impact sites with specific construction impacts, to be confirmed by the relevant authority. A tight access, a school nearby or a town centre location can trigger one on a very small scheme.

At the planning approval stage the guidance indicates a Transport Assessment or an Outline CLP. At the pre-construction stage it indicates no CLP required, with a footnote that a Detailed CLP may still be required for lower impact sites with specific construction impacts, to be confirmed by the relevant authority at pre-planning or planning approval stage.

An Outline CLP at the planning approval stage and a Detailed CLP at the pre-construction stage. The guidance notes that for medium impact developments the Outline CLP content is lighter than for higher impact schemes, and that medium impact sites require a single plan showing local area routing.

An Outline CLP at planning approval and a Detailed CLP pre-construction, with additional detail required. The guidance states that for higher impact developments, additional details are required with input from a construction logistics specialist. That is a direct steer toward using someone accredited rather than adapting a template.

It is one of three considerations, alongside community considerations and development size, and the guidance treats the resulting table as indicative rather than binding. A £1.5m scheme next to a primary school with a single narrow access can reasonably be assessed as Medium or Higher despite the cost. Do not argue a tier down on cost alone.

It depends on the floorspace and what the works involve. The size thresholds in the guidance are expressed as creation or change of use of 1,000 square metres or more for Medium and 10,000 square metres or more for Higher, so change of use is explicitly captured. A change of use involving fit-out deliveries and waste removal still generates construction vehicle movements.

The guidance covers both buildings and infrastructure projects, and describes six distinct construction phases applicable to each. The impact level assessment works the same way. Infrastructure schemes more often fall into the Higher band because of cost and duration.

Yes, and this is the normal route. The Detailed CLP is typically required by a pre-commencement condition, which means it has to be submitted and approved before work starts on site. Permission being granted does not mean the logistics question is closed.

Quite possibly. Community considerations are one of the three factors setting the impact level, and the guidance is clear the indicative table can be overridden by the actual circumstances. Town centre sites bring pedestrian footfall, loading restrictions, bus routes and servicing conflicts, all of which raise the assessed impact regardless of scheme size.