What are Planning Amendments?
A planning amendment is a modification to an already granted planning permission. These changes can range from small tweaks to substantial alterations in the layout, design, or use of the development. The type of amendment required depends on the scale of the changes and their impact on the original planning permission.
There are generally two types of amendments:
- Non-Material Amendments (NMA): These are minor changes that do not significantly alter the scale, appearance, or overall intent of the development. Non-material amendments might include slight adjustments to building elevations, changes to window placements, or minor layout alterations. An NMA application is typically simpler and faster to process, allowing developers to make small changes without submitting a completely new planning application.
- Minor Material Amendments (MMA): Also known as Section 73 applications, these amendments are for changes that are more significant but still do not fundamentally alter the original permission. This could involve alterations to building dimensions, layout modifications, or changes to conditions attached to the original approval. An MMA requires a more detailed application and review but still allows for adjustments without restarting the entire planning process.