Landlord consent
Any 'works' undertaken in community and voluntary controlled schools may require ECC approval before they start.
This approval process is called the Landlord Consent (LLC) process.
The process has been updated to provide greater support to schools to make sure of safe project delivery and earlier ‘in principle’ decisions on outline proposals ahead of schools needing to expend significant funds.
LLC guidance
For more information about the LLC process, including works which require approval and the different stages involved, download the following documents:
It is essential schools follow our LLC process and achieve the necessary approval for relevant works.
Project checklist
To make sure schools follow the LLC process and comply with LLC requirements ahead of and during the delivery of works, schools should download and refer to our Checklist for School Building Projects (Word, 49.4KB).
The document referred to in the Checklist for School building projects document:
Next steps
The first stage of the approval process is to complete our LLC1 Stage 1 Landlord Consent process form which should be submitted for any intrusive work on the school building grounds.
Further approval stages may be required depending on the extent of the proposed works. Schools should not commence proposed works or commit any expenditure until full approval has been given.
Landlord Consent does not constitute technical approval of a project and should not be used for this purpose.
Any technical review of the proposal by ECC is purely for landlord approval and suitable technical expertise must be employed directly by the applicant to make sure all standards are achieved.
For more information about securing technical expertise download and use our Schools Property Handbook (Word, 109KB).
Schools must independently manage their capital schemes funded by their DFC.
When delivering projects, schools must comply with the tendering, procurement and other contractual requirements to obtain value for money and comply with financial regulations.
Should projects affect school capacity (for example, provision of new teaching accommodation, conversion of teaching to non-teaching accommodation or vice-versa), projects must be agreed with our School Planning and Admissions Adviser before the submission of our LLC1 form.
Apply for LLC
Schools should allow a minimum of 2 months to receive full approval and longer may be required for complex schemes or during periods of peak demand (traditionally during the summer term).
To apply for DFC download, complete and follow the instructions on our LLC1 Stage 1 Landlord Consent process form (Word, 42.3KB).
Contact us
For enquiries about community, voluntary controlled and foundation schools Landlord Consent contact Jane Lewis or Donna Cooknell. Include their name in your subject heading and email infrastructure.delivery@essex.gov.uk
For all other Landlord Consent not related to DFC projects including non-DFC applications at maintained schools and academies, contact Robert Greenwold. Include their name in your subject heading and email infrastructure.delivery@essex.gov.uk