Minor material amendments

Minor material amendments are applications that seek approval for minor changes on a previously approved planning application. It is not possible to use the minor material amendment process to make changes to a Listed Building Consent.

At present there is no certified definition of what constitutes 'minor' or 'material' changes, as this depends wholly on the specific context of the application, and will take into account things like size or whether any previous planning permission has been granted. 

An application for minor material changes is usually submitted in order to determine whether the proposed changes are minor or not. If it is decided that the changes are not minor then the application will be refused.

Guidelines for assessment

To be considered as minor, the proposed changes should not differ drastically from the approved plans, but can include small changes - such as to scale, height or footprint - that do not alter its style or total area.

Minor material amendments do not usually include:

• new windows, openings or enlargements which would result in an unacceptable loss of privacy to neighbours
• a change to external materials which would harm the appearance or quality of a development
• a change to the external look of a development which would look significantly different to approved plans
• a change which would lead to a big increase in traffic or parking

If you are in any doubt about where a proposed change is likely to be minor material or not then, to avoid delays, we recommend applying for a revised full application.

Applications for minor material amendments can be made online via the Planning Portal link below using the existing section 73 procedure and form - 'application for removal or variation of a condition following grant of planning permission'.

Amendment guidance

When sending us an application to change an approved scheme, it is important that you make this clear within the description. 

For example:

• Example 1 – variation of conditions

“Variation of condition 3 of planning permission 10/P/1234/F (erection of retail unit off St Marks Road) to allow the retail unit to open until 11pm Monday to Friday instead of 10pm”

• Example 2 – minor material amendment

“Minor material amendment of planning permission 10/P/1234/F (erection of retail unit off St Marks Road) to provide three additional parking spaces to the rear of the three retail units (northern boundary)”

• Example 3 – revised new application

“Revised scheme for the erection of retail unit off St Marks Road to provide three additional parking spaces to the rear of the three retail units (northern boundary) making a total of eight parking spaces (previously approved application 10/P/1234/F)​”

When considering the application, we will focus our attention any new changes submitted, any planning considerations that have changed since the original approval. We will normally make a decision within eight weeks (13 weeks for major applications or 16 weeks where an environmental impact assessment is needed).​

Where the original application was subject to environmental impact assessment, we will normally do a full re-consultation.

Approved applications

Approved applications will result in a new permission. Relevant conditions from the original permission will be added along with any new conditions needed. The new permission will still expire at the same time as the original permission and the decision notice will include a condition with this date on it.

Appeals

If your application is refused you can appeal. This must take place within 12 weeks if the application is about a householder planning permission, or within six months in all other cases.