Requests for variations to planning applications

Criteria for assessing variation

We use the following criteria to assess the variation. The varied scheme:

  • must still comply with the policies of the Development Plan
  • does not require Listed Building or Conservation Area consent
  • does not involve a material change of use requiring planning permission
  • does not require the deletion or alteration of conditions imposed upon the original scheme
  • does not require the imposition of additional planning conditions in order to make it acceptable
  • does not require further neighbour notification
  • does not conflict with a change to the originally approved scheme, or conditions imposed upon the originally approved scheme which were required to mitigate a material impact identified through third party representations made on the original proposal
  • does not, within housing developments of ten or more houses, relate to the following matters:
    • any additional house plot
    • alternative house design such as a change in house type
    • changes that require the modification of the road layout
    • changes that lead to a significant change in finished floor levels of the house
    • changes that require the movement of a house by more than 3m in any direction
    • changes that require the removal or significant relocation of open space, landscaping or other above ground infrastructure
  • the scale of change which can be considered as non-material will vary depending on the scale of the originally proposed development

The approval of requests for a non-material variation is at the discretion of the Planning Authority.

Applications can be made using our online form and following the ‘Submitting additional information’ guidance on our Planning Permission page.

There is a charge for this service, payment will be required upon completion of the online form.

Page last modified: 10 February 2026