Amendments to planning applications

Live Planning Application Amendment Service

Surrey Heath is committed to determining planning applications within the statutory periods and without the use of time extensions. Speedier decisions are in the public interest. For this reason amendments to a live planning application are discouraged wherever possible as this slows down the decision making process. However, at the discretion of the case officer, it is sometimes necessary to accept amendments to an application. The charge under this service covers the additional resource that accepting amendments entails. This includes the department and officer’s time and the additional consultations usually required.   

To use this service please first check whether your submission is eligible against the criteria below. If it is you will then need to discuss any amendments you want to make with your case officer. You can do this by email or by phone during our published contact times. If your case officer accepts your request, they will confirm by email and advise on how to pay. On receipt of payment your planning application will be determined on the basis of the amendments.

Eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions

• This service only applies to minor changes. Fundamental changes to the proposal will require a resubmission. If in any doubt whether your amended proposal qualifies then please discuss this with the planning case officer. 
• Request for amendments after week 4 of the planning application will not normally be considered.
• Amendments to plans or documents that are requested by the applicant will not be permitted unless this paid service is used. This service only applies to applications for lawful development certificates and to planning applications. This includes householder submissions, full applications, outline and reserved matters applications and s73 minor-material amendment applications. 
• The service does not apply to priors, details to comply with conditions applications or non-material amendment applications.
• This service does not apply to an application submitted under the fast-track planning application service. 
• Only one opportunity for amendments is permitted per application. If further changes are required we recommend that the application be withdrawn and that the pre-application service is used prior to resubmission. 
• A major development is classified as a site exceeding 1 hectare, 10 or more dwellings, including changes of use, or 1,000 square metres or more including changes of use. 
• A minor development is classified as 1-9 dwellings, less than 1,000 square metres commercial development, or traveller caravan pitches.

Charging schedule 

All charges are exempt from VAT.

• Major planning application: £600
• Minor planning application: £300
• Householder, advertisement or listed building application: £150
• Lawful development certificate application: £75

Post approval amendment options

If you wish to make substantial changes to your approved application then a new planning application will be required. However, if you propose less substantial changes, then dependent on the nature of the change, please either submit an application for a non-material amendment (s96A application) or an application to amend the conditions, including minor amendments (s73 application). If you are unclear on what application to submit then please discuss this with the planning case officer. 

Please be advised that there is no statutory definition of ‘non-material’. This is because it will be dependent on the context of the overall scheme - an amendment that is non-material in one context may be material in another. Generally, however, the following scenarios might constitute as a non-material amendment:

• Amendments to doors/windows/openings (that do not enlarge the built form and do not have a significant impact on the residential amenities of neighbouring properties)
• External materials changes (unless these significantly impact upon the existing buildings appearance, the public realm or on an area of special control)
• Reductions in the size of the building (provided there is no significant impact upon its built form and appearance)
• Floor area changes (unless this changes the number of units proposed or goes to the heart of the decision)  

A non-material amendment application does not constitute a new permission whereas a minor material amendment application does. The description of development cannot be changed under a minor material amendment application. 

Further guidance of each option is provided on the flexible options for planning permission page of the GOV.UK website (external link).