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Amending a planning application

We will decide if we want to ask for or accept changes to an application that is under consideration.

Paragraph 61 of the Government’s National Planning Guidance document states:

It is at the discretion of the Local Planning Authority whether to accept such changes, to determine if the changes need to be reconsulted upon, or if the proposed changes are so significant as to materially alter the proposal such that a new application should be submitted.

On this basis, our normal position is not to seek or accept amendments after validation. We therefore encourage you to use our pre-application advice service.

Unless we believe that exceptional circumstances justify a different approach to a particular application, we work by the following working practices:

  • Determining all planning applications within statutory deadlines wherever possible.
  • Determining applications based on the details submitted with the application when validated. Entering into negotiation on applications only on an exceptional basis at the discretion of the case officer and only on minor changes that do not require re-advertisement or significantly alter the submitted scheme. Not entering into negotiation on any application that could go beyond the determination date unless there is an agreement to a suitable extension of time. 

Guidance on amendments

This guidance will help you understand when we will/will not request or accept amendments/additional information to planning applications.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will only seek an amendment/additional information under either or both two conditions:

  1. Further analysis of the case means we need more information or clarification. It is essential to complete the assessment of the scheme. For example, cross sectional or levels details drawings.
  2. Amendments of a minor nature that would improve the scheme. This must be a necessary improvement and not jeopardise a decision within the statutory period. For example, requiring additional consultation or more detailed third-party expert advice.

We will:

  • help you consolidate minor changes (that result in an improved scheme) into a single request.
  • only accept one round of amendments/additional information to a submitted non-major application.
  • accept two rounds of amendments/additional information to a submitted major application. We do recognise their complexity.
  • only accept the amendment/additional information if an extension of time is agreed from the outset.

Any amendments/additional information should be provided at the same time. It should not be provided separately and over different timescales.

This means we will not generally accept amendments/additional information to planning applications if/for:

  1. they trigger the need for a fresh 21-day consultation (assessed on an individual basis)
  2. an increase in size of or material change to the red line boundary of the site location plan unless requested by the Local Planning Authority
  3. there is a significant relocation of footprint and/or volume and mass of built form
  4. introduction of materially different uses
  5. there is a conflict with Development Plan policies
  6. there is a material increase the visual impact of the development
  7. they materially increase the amenity impact of the development on a feature of recognised sensitivity
  8. there is an increase in the impact on a heritage asset
  9. they exacerbate concerns raised by third parties

This is not an exhaustive list.

We will not accept unsolicited amendments. Please do not seek amendments in response to an objection unless first cleared with your planning case officer.

We may request that a plan register is provided to clearly show superseded and amended plans. Plan numbers and revision dates should also be made clear and any updated plan must include a new revision reference and date. It is important for us to understand your documents, and ensure we display them correctly on our web pages for interested parties to view. It is also important to correctly identify plans as part of the decision-making process. Please see the example plan register below:

Example plan register
Document Document number Document dates 2/1/25 Document dates 9/1/25
Site location plan ABC-123-1 1
Existing elevations ABC-123-2 1
Existing internals ABC-123-3 1
Existing layout ABC-123-4 1
Proposed elevations ABC-123-5 1 2
Proposed internals ABC-123-6 1 2
Proposed layout ABC-123-7 1 2

Publicity

We reserve the right to undertake further publicity at any stage during a planning application. This includes receipt of amended details, in accordance with the following principles:

  • Where we accept an amendment to an application, neighbours, and third parties who were originally notified of the application will be formally re-notified. This applies if we believe that the amendments have a greater impact.
  • In most instances, no further publicity will be required if amended plans submitted:
    • reduce the quantum of development.
    • lessen the impact on the amenities of the locality, or.
    • relate to minor matters of detail.
  • In all cases, amended details will be available to view on our planning application webpages. We consider all comments received on a planning application in the assessment of the proposals.
  • We assess each case on its own merits and in line with Government Guidance. Professional planning judgment will be exercised in all cases. We will assess whether changes to planning applications require further publicity.