Why Concept Plans Aren’t Enough for Council DA Approval

Council approval requires more than a good idea

A concept plan might be a useful starting point, but it won't get you over the line with your development application.

It often lacks the necessary technical details, reports and compliance checks required by NSW councils.

Local councils across NSW require detailed documentation to grant DA approval.

This includes site analysis, shadow diagrams, landscaping details and compliance statements.

As a town planning company in NSW, we frequently meet clients who assume their initial concept is all that's needed.

In reality, concept plans must evolve into a full DA package prepared in line with local planning controls and legislation.

Concept plans miss critical planning compliance checks

A concept plan typically shows what you want to build but rarely explains how it meets NSW planning rules.

Without a planning consultant reviewing zoning restrictions, building heights or site coverage limits, your project may not meet council requirements.

This can lead to delays, rejections or costly redesigns.

For example, a client once submitted a concept plan for a dual occupancy in a flood-affected zone.

Because no flood study or risk mitigation strategy was included, the council rejected the application outright.

Our planning advice would have addressed these issues upfront, saving time and frustration.

Development applications require coordinated technical reports

A development application is more than a set of drawings.

It often includes a Statement of Environmental Effects, BASIX certificates, stormwater reports and heritage assessments.

These reports must be coordinated and referenced in architectural plans.

If a concept plan is submitted without these documents, your DA approval will likely be delayed.

As experienced town planners, we ensure every development application includes the right technical reports tailored to your site and proposal.

Councils expect fully resolved architectural plans

For DA approval, councils need to see architectural plans that show precise setbacks, materials, finishes and elevations.

A rough sketch or concept drawing doesn't provide enough information to assess the impact on neighbours, streetscape or the environment.

One homeowner in Sydney’s Inner West learned this the hard way when their concept plan was rejected due to inadequate overshadowing analysis.

Overshadowing analysis assesses how a proposed building will affect sunlight on adjacent properties, especially private open space and habitable rooms.

Our in-house drafting team later produced detailed architectural plans that addressed council concerns, leading to a successful DA outcome.

Planning advice strengthens your DA from the outset

Early planning advice can identify risks, highlight council constraints and improve the chances of DA approval.

A planning consultant can assess your concept plan and flag potential issues with privacy, traffic, parking or bushfire risk.

At Town Planning Sydney, our team works with homeowners and developers from concept to construction, aligning your vision with NSW planning policy.

That level of support is what councils are looking for well considered applications that meet both the letter and intent of local planning rules.

Poor documentation can trigger requests for more information

Council planners have the right to pause your DA and request additional information if the submission is incomplete.

This creates long delays, especially in busy LGAs where timeframes are already stretched.

Submitting a concept plan without the full DA package is a common trigger for these delays.

We regularly assist clients who have had their applications stuck in limbo because their documentation wasn’t DA-ready.

By preparing your development application properly the first time, you can avoid these roadblocks entirely.

A complete DA package shows you're serious about your project

Council officers respond better to applicants who demonstrate a clear understanding of town planning requirements.

This means providing documentation that clearly addresses zoning, environmental impacts, design guidelines and neighbour considerations.

Whether you're building a new home, subdividing land or extending a commercial property, investing in full DA documentation sets your project up for success.

If you’re unsure whether your concept is ready for submission, it’s worth seeking planning advice before lodging your application.

At Town Planning Sydney, we help you transform ideas into council-approved outcomes with a complete, coordinated approach to NSW planning.