How we handle new or revised information received post submission and pre-decision on an application –small changes practice guidance

We must be fair and balance the interests of applicants, people with an interest in the proposal and process efficiency.

There is no automatic right for an applicant to change their proposal and it is our discretion as Local Planning Authority whether to accept new or revised information during the application process. We reserve the right to take a decision on the application as submitted.

By law we must not disadvantage people who have or may wish to comment when we accept new information.

We aim to:

• assess proposals as soon after receipt as we can
• when appropriate provide applicants or their agents with a progress update
• if required recommend small changes to overcome problems with an application
• assess the suitability of proposed small changes in a timely manner and decide whether we will accept these changes
• publish onto our website any new or revised information that we decide amounts to suitable small changes within three days of receiving it

We require two copies of any small changes, one copy electronically (sent to planning@lakedistrict.gov.uk) and one in paper.

We will not accept any small changes to applications being decided by our Development Control Committee after we publish the summary schedule (12 days before the meeting)

We will not accept more than small changes. If more than small changes are required to make a proposal acceptable we will offer the opportunity to withdraw the application, revise and resubmit it to enable full publicity and consultation to take place, or we will refuse the application.

This means we will determine the submitted application or the applicant may withdraw and re-apply. The only exception to this is in respect of significant proposals, for example involving a planning performance agreement, where it would be in the interests of all parties to provide publicity and consultation on revised proposals. We would agree this with the applicant or their agent subject to a suitable extension of time to decide the application. In such circumstances we would carry out the full publicity and consultation that we applied to the original application.

If we receive any substantive correspondence from applicants or their agents during an application we will display these on our website along with any substantive correspondence we send to them.

We will not notify people who have commented on an application personally of small changes.

Updated: 27 June 2019