Non-Material Variations
Email (opens new window)Non-Material Variations Form
Non-Material Variations
A Non-Material Variation (NMV) application is a proposal to change an approved development that will not significantly alter what was granted planning permission.
As of 31st March 2025 we require the submission of a formal application for the written confirmation of requests for non-material variations to approved schemes. All NMV applications are subject to a fee of £230, as set by the Scottish Government.
A NMV application only relates to granted planning applications and is not applicable to other types of applications such as:
What is a Non-Material Variation?
Non-material variations are permitted under Section 64 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which makes provision for the variation of planning permission once it has been granted, provided the changes are not material.
Once planning permission has been granted, changes to proposals are often submitted. A non-material variation essentially means that the proposed changes to a development will not significantly alter the scheme that was originally granted planning permission. Non-material variations are dealt with under delegated powers to planning officers. When considering a request for a non-material variation, planning officers will consider the cumulative impact of the proposed change alongside any other requests for non-material variations that have been made previously.
What Permission Relates to a Non-Material Variation?
A non-material variation can only relate to a planning permission that has been granted. A non-material variation is tied to the original planning permission and is not a new consent. It's not possible to apply for a non-material variation in relation to any other type of application such as listed building consent, conservation area consent, advert applications or prior notifications.
If a planning application is at minded to grant stage subject to a legal agreement which has not yet been completed, it is not possible to apply for a non-material variation on the application. The applicant must wait until the legal agreement has been concluded and planning permission granted before a non-material variation application can be made.
It is also important that you check and confirm any changes with the Building Standards team to ensure that any variations proposed in your non-material variation application still comply with the relevant building regulations.
Assessment Process
The Council will assess all requests for a variation to a planning permission in the context of the development as approved. Each case will be considered on an individual basis, and the case officer will consider if the proposed variation will make a material change to the outcome of the development, or if they will raise any new material considerations.
The case officer will consider matters such as:
- Do the revisions comply with policies and guidance?
- Do the revisions raise additional amenity issues for neighbours?
- Do the revisions raise any other planning issues such as transport implications, for example, an increase or reduction of parking?
- Has the design and materials changed to such an extent that they are no longer compatible with the character of the area?
The scale of change relative to the size and scale of the development and the nature of the surrounding area will be the key factors in assessing whether the proposed variation is non-material.
How to Apply
Applications can be made by submitting a completed Online Form together with the appropriate fee. Please complete all sections including any details of submissions to support the application.
In addition to the form you must submit a site location plan, 1:1250 or 1:2500 in scale and amended drawings which clearly indicate the proposed variations as listed on the application form. Drawings should be to the same scale as those approved under the planning permission and the proposed variations should be clearly highlighted in colour. Applicants are requested to provide the original drawing numbers, as per the Council's planning portal references in the original application, to facilitate comparison of the amended plans with the previously approved plans.
If a previous non-material variation application has been made, customers should ensure that these are referenced on the application form in the space provided. It should be noted that where more than one application for a non-material variation has been
made, the cumulative effects of all variations will be considered by the Council to establish whether the resultant development is materially different from the original approval to the extent that a new application is required.
How to Make a Payment
The fee for a non-material variation application is £230. Payment should be made for applications by BACs payment to Glasgow City Council using the undernoted details:
BACs Payment Details:
- Payee: Glasgow City Council
- Sort Code: 834400
- Account Number: 00796772
- Reference No: NMV (and quoting the reference number of the original application) e.g. NMV25/00123/FUL
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