Planning Permission Variations

1. Planning Permission Variations

Planning permission variations are changes to approved planning applications at the request of the applicant. For example, if you have had planning permission approved but want to make a minor change to the design or you are unhappy with one or more of the conditions, you can submit an application to request a change or removal of planning conditions. 

Requesting variations to your planning approval is usually a much easier, faster and cheaper than submitting a whole new planning application. Depending in the extent of the variation you will either need to submit a Non-Material Amendment Application or a Minor Material Amendment Application.

2. Non-Material Amendment Application

This is suitable for a small change and should not be difficult to obtain. A good example of this is if you need to move a window or door along a wall. In truth nothing much has changed, the wall is still in the same location, the same size and has a window or door in it. The only time that this might be challenged is if the moving of the window or door impacts on privacy for others.

3. Minor Material Amendment Application

This is required for larger changes and subject to what you want changed, can often be more challenging to get approved. An example would be that you would like to move the planned extension closer to a boundary. It’s the same extension just in a slightly different location. The planning authorities would consider this to be a minor amendment and would need to investigate the impact the change would have to any neighbours.

4. Need help with a Planning Variation?

Studio Charrette who are a partner of the government’s planning portal can conduct a planning appraisal. This involves a chartered planning consultant researching the project to check the relevant planning and design policies, they also check the planning history and look for any hidden constraints. This takes about an hour at which point they can call to advise what would be required and answer any questions. Subsequently we forward the advice in writing.

There are never any guarantees with planning permission or permitted development, because ultimately only your planning authority can make the legal determination. However, with a planning appraisal we can let you know whether your desired variation would be feasible, assuming it is what the best route forward would be and the likelihood of success. As part of the planning appraisal, we can also advise you on building regulations, structural engineering calculations and construction.

Assuming the planning appraisal is positive we can then provide a quote for any services you want help with including architectural design, planning permission, building regulations and construction. Should you decide to instruct Studio Charrette can take care of everything for you from start to finish.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a planning appraisal for your project, contact us today and a member of our team will contact you shortly.

5. Price Match Guarantee

We fully appreciate any unexpected cost is going to be unwelcome, but you will be pleased to know our prices are so competitive, we offer a price match guarantee and in most cases the planning costs are insignificant compared to the development.

If there is a way to help you achieve a positive outcome our chartered planning consultants will give you the best chance of success. Equally if we think it simply isn’t feasible, while it may be bad news, we are obliged to give you frank and honest professional advice.

6. Choose Studio Charrette!

If you choose to instruct Studio Charrette, we will take care of everything for you from this point including liaising with the enforcement officer and preparing all the necessary documents to submit to your planning authority.

We will keep you updated from start to finish until we receive a decision, which thanks to our planning appraisals is usually positive.