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Changing your planning application

Negotiating changes to your application

Planning Portal - submit changes

North Somerset Council is committed to determining planning applications within statutory timescales.

Unless a time extension is agreed in writing, this is: 

We understand that some applications require further work, such as changes to be made acceptable, or negotiation around issues in dispute before an appeal or resubmission.  

This strategy outlines the process for negotiating and submitting amendments to an application before a decision is made. This is to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency.

Please note, this strategy leans more towards minor/householder applications. However it can also apply to major applications.  

When we will consider amendments

Amendments to an application during the determination process are only accepted in certain circumstances.

These amendments will need to: 

  • improve the application or address specific concerns raised by the case officer, consultees, or third parties.
  • be minor in nature and not fundamentally alter the original scope, scale, or impact
  • be able to be processed within statutory timescales or with an agreed extension.

Significant changes that alter the nature of the proposal (e.g., changing the site boundary, use class, or significantly increasing building height/volume) will likely require a new planning application.  

Pre-application advice

To minimise the need for amendments, we strongly encourage applicants to use our pre-application advice service before submitting an application.  

Negotiation process

The process will usually follow this timeline. 

Contact with the case officer 

Before submitting, you will need to discuss the proposed changes with your case officer. They will advise whether the changes can be accepted.  

Submit your amendments

Formally submit your amendments to the case officer via email.  

The case officer will assess whether the changes: 

  • align with what was discussed
  • require re-consultation
  • can be processed within statutory timescales or require an extension
    • if a time extension is required, this must be agreed in writing before the re-consultation begins. 

Limits on amendments 

To avoid delays, typically, only one round of amendments is permitted per application. Normally, unsolicited amendments will not be accepted.  

Key considerations

  • proportionality - we will take a proportionate approach to accepting changes by balancing the competing interests of applicants, developers, neighbours, relevant stakeholders, and the public
  • fairness - we will ensure changes do not disadvantage any party
  • refusal of amendments - if amendments are deemed too significant or cannot be processed within agreed timescales, we may determine the application as originally submitted or recommend a new application
  • refusals - in some cases, if an application cannot be made acceptable and must be refused unless withdrawn  

To ensure we can determine planning applications within statutory timescales, and where resources allow, we may contact the agent/applicant to offer the opportunity to withdraw the application before it is refused. 

In such cases, the case officer will provide, without prejudice, the main reasons for the refusal.  

Please note, the case officer will seek to provide all reasons for refusal. 

However, as a withdrawn application is not a formal decision by the council, other issues or reasons for refusal may become apparent during a subsequent application.

We reserve the right to decide an application without contacting the agent or applicant as per government guidance.  

Contact us

For guidance on amendments or to discuss your application, contact your case officer or you can contact our Planning Support team via email. 

Planning Support team
Planning.Support@n-somerset.gov.uk

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