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Planning advice and guidance

We recommend using the advice and guidance tools below to help you work out if you need to apply for planning permission. These tools do not provide a definitive source of legal information.

Do I need planning permission?

Planning permission and Building Regulations approval are two separate things. You may need one or both depending on your project.

Some developments can be carried out without planning permission. This is known as Permitted Development. Visit the Planning Portal website for advice and guidance on common household projects that can be done without planning permission.

Unfortunately, other than in respect of Listed Building related enquires (Which can be submitted via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), because of a significant increase in our workload we are currently unable to offer our Permitted Development Enquiry Service and therefore if you want to be certain that the existing use of a building is lawful for planning purposes or that your proposal does not require planning permission, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. This certificate confirms that a proposed or actual development or use is legally permitted. They are also available for Listed Buildings.

In some cases where planning permission is not needed you may still need building regulations approval. To check, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also download the building regulations information pack.

Pre-application advice service 

If planning permission is needed for your development, we can provide you with advice before you submit a full planning application. You will have to pay for this service.

Submit a pre-application advice request

Pre-application advice applications will have their fee refunded where the applicant commits to and delivers on:

  • The installation of a low carbon/renewable energy technology on an existing building (solar panels, heat pumps etc).
  • Householder developments that include the installation of low carbon/renewable energy technology (e.g. extensions with a solar panel etc) that exceed the policy/regulatory requirements in operation at that time.

To request a refund, please email the Planning Support Team This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details of the pre-application advice application, the relative planning application and a signed letter stating which of the above points you committed to and the date of completion.

Charges for pre-application advice - businesses

The table below sets out our fees for offering pre-application advice from the 1 April 2024 for residential developments.

This fee has been waived for new and expanding businesses that create employment opportunities and for developments that meet environmental standards or deliver a meaningful contribution to carbon reduction.

Residential development (including one-for-one replacements, conversions and sub-divisions)

Development site area

Proposed gross floor area (measured externally in metres squared)

Fee for the first three meetings (including VAT)

Fee for additional meetings, (per meeting and including VAT)

1 to 4 dwellings

Less than 0.5ha

500 or less

£367.29

£148.29

5 to 9 dwellings

0.6 to 0.99ha

501 to 999

£735.20

£148.29

10 to 49 dwellings

1 to 1.25ha

1,000 to 2,499

£1,453.94

£732.64

50 to 199 dwellings

1.26 to 2ha

2,500 to 9,999

£2,916.85

£1,103.19

200 or more dwellings

More than 2ha

10,000 or more

£4,375.80

£1,465.104

The table below sets out the fees for offering pre-application advice from the 1 April 2024 for other types of development.

Type of development - Fee including VAT (for each additional meeting)

Advertisements £77.05 (£41.60)

Change of use £219.34 (£112.80)

Glasshouses or Poly Tunnels £324.55 (£148.29)

Householder development £53.35 (Not applicable)

All other development proposals not falling within any of the above categories such as variation of removal of conditions, car parks, roads and certificates of lawfulness £148.29 (£77.05)

  • Where a development proposal falls within one or more category, the higher fee will apply.
  • Payment should be made at the time of the pre-application advice request.
  • Read the charging for document pre-application advice (77 KB) document for further advice.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulation 2004 we may receive a request to provide information regarding enquiries for pre-application advice. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and may involve some information to be released. We may contact you if such a request is received.

Dropped kerbs and crossovers

Planning permission will be needed if the proposed access sits on a classified road.

Even if you do not need planning permission, you will still need permission from Ringway Infrastructure Services. They will also need to create your dropped kerb or pavement/verge crossing.

You can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01905 751651. 

You can also write to them at:

Ringway Infrastructure Services, Highways House,
Warndon Depot,
Pershore Lane, Warndon, 
Worcestershire,
WR4 0AA 

Amending your planning application

Amending your application before the decision is made

A planning application can be amended after it has been submitted to the Council and before it is determined. It is at the Council’s discretion whether to accept any changes to an application. The Council may ask for a new application to be submitted where the changes are significant.

When an application is amended it is for the Council to determine whether the publicity and consultation processes should be re-run, in the interests of fairness. The Council will consider whether, without re-consultation, any of those who were entitled to be consulted or notified of the application when it was first submitted would be deprived of the opportunity to make any representations that they may have wanted to make on the application as amended and whether any injustice might be caused by not carrying out further consultation or notification.

The Council will exercise its discretion when deciding whether to request or accept amendments to a planning application under consideration. Upon receipt of an application, the Council expect it to be:

  • supported by relevant information, with reference to the Council’s local validation document; and
  • capable of being fully assessed against relevant planning policies and determined as submitted.


On that basis the Council’s normal position is not to seek or accept amendments after validation. We emphasise this approach by encouraging all to engage in the pre-application service. Further guidance on the Council’s pre application service can be found via the following link: Planning advice and guidance.

We will not accept unsolicited amendments. Please do not submit amendments in response to an objection unless first cleared with your planning case officer.

Guidance on submission of amendments and / or additional information in respect of live planning applications

This guidance will help you understand when the Council will/will not request additional information or accept amendments to planning applications.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will only seek amendments and / or additional information if the Council deem that:

  1. Further analysis of the case means more information or clarification is needed. It must be needed to complete the assessment of the scheme. For example, cross-sectional or levels details drawings;
  2. The amendments are of a minor nature that would improve the scheme. This must not jeopardise a decision with the statutory decision dates or an agreed period for determination. For example, requiring additional consultation or more detailed third-party expert advice.

The Council will:

  • help you consolidate minor changes ( that result in an improved scheme) into a single request
  • normally, only accept one round of amendments to a submitted scheme.

This means the Council will not generally accept amendments to planning applications if:

  1. They are unsolicited
  2. In the Council’s view they would trigger the need for a fresh 21-day consultation (assessed on an individual basis)
  3. it results in an increase in size of or material change to the application site boundary (shown edged red on the plan submitted at validation) unless requested by the LPA
  4. it results in a material change in the access, layout, appearance, landscaping or scale.
  5. it involves the introduction of materially different uses from that applied for
  6. it conflicts with development plan policies
  7. it materially increases the visual impact of the development.
  8. it materially increases the impact of the development on a feature of recognised sensitivity.
  9. it increases the impact on a heritage asset.
  10. it exacerbates concerns raised by third parties.
  11. It relates to a certificates of lawfulness of existing or proposed use/development

This is not an exhaustive list.

Making changes to your application after the decision has been made

Occasionally you may wish to make alterations to a scheme after it has been granted planning approval. Minor changes to approved plans can be dealt with as:
  1. a non-material minor amendment
  2. a material amendment through the formal variation of the approved application

Read the  pdf Guidance Notes (714 KB)  for more information.

a. Non-Material Minor Amendment:

What can be handled as a non-material minor amendments?

The Council will in most cases accept the following as minor amendments to previously approved plans:

  • Reduction in the volume/size of the building/extension, or all forms of operational/ engineering development that requires planning permission
  • Reduction in the height of the building/extension, or all forms of operational/ engineering development that requires planning permission
  • Amendments to windows/doors/openings that will not have any impact on neighbouring properties

We could not accept amendments as non-material if (for example):

  • The application site area (red line) differs from the original application
  • The application description differs from the original application
  • The proposal would result in changes to the external details (e.g. facing materials or roof shape) that would materially alter the appearance of the building
  • The amendment significantly increases the size of any part of the development
  • The development moves more than 1 metre in any direction
  • The height of the building or structure is increased
  • If the amendment locates any part of the development closer to a neighbour unless the development as amended is in excess of 5 metres from the common boundary with the neighbour
  • The amendment results in a fundamental change in the design of the building
  • If the amendment changes windows or doors in any elevation facing a neighbour which increases overlooking in any way
  • The amendment would result in a greater visual intrusion, loss of light or feeling of enclosure to neighbours
  • There were any relevant objections to the original proposal which would be compromised by the proposed minor amendment.

What is the process for applying for non-material minor amendments?

You can apply for a non-material minor amendment through the Planning Portal.

Apply online

If you are unable to apply online please complete a pdf paper form (786 KB) and submit by email using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

pdf Guidance notes (64 KB) are available to help you complete your application.

Useful information

  • Fees if the application is a householder; £43.00
  • Fees in any other case;                       £293.00
  • No Design and Access Statement is necessary
  • Neighbour notification and consultation is discretionary; the Council will not undertake notification and consultation in most cases.
  • The application is not for a new permission so it will not be necessary to repeat conditions from the original permission.
  • Conditions on the original application cannot be varied or removed through this process.
  • If the amendment is such that a new condition is necessary, then it cannot be a non-material amendment and a fresh
  • application or a material amendment will be required.
  • The application will not count towards the Council's statistical returns.
  • Applications and decisions must go on the planning register.
  • There is no prescribed form of decision, but it must be in writing.

  • The Council will endeavour to respond within 28 days of receipt of the application form and fee to advise you if the changes can be accepted as an amendment to the approved scheme, or whether a material amendment or formal planning application needs to be made.

b. Material Amendment through the formal variation of the approved planning permission

Minor Material Amendment

Recent planning decision notices include a condition requiring the works to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans.  In some instances, it is possible to amend this condition, in order to substitute an amended plan.  Where this is the case, you can apply for a minor material amendment when:

  • the character and description of the amended scheme remains the same, and;
  • the development is one whose scale and nature results in a development which is not substantially different from the one which has been approved,

You can apply for a non-material minor amendment through the Planning Portal.

Apply online

If you are unable to apply online please complete a pdf paper form (784 KB)  and submit by email using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Read the  pdf guidance notes  (56 KB) if you need help to complete your application. The fee for this application is £293.00.

Variation of Condition

You can seek to remove or vary a condition attached to your permission.  This may be when you consider the condition no longer applies or when you wish to seek extend the time limit imposed on the commencement of development for unimplemented extant permissions granted on or before 1 October 2010.  A statement setting out the reasons why the condition should be removed or varied should accompany the application.

You can apply for a non-material minor amendment through the Planning Portal.

Apply online

If you are unable to apply online, please complete a  pdf paper form (784 KB)  and submit by email using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Read the pdf guidance notes  (56 KB) if you need help to complete your application. The fee for this application is £293.00.

Significant changes which cannot be considered to be a minor amendment

For all other cases a fresh planning application will need to be submitted and the Council's full information requirements remain relevant for a revised application.  In some instances, a fee may not be required, and you should consult with the planning team for further information.

Please note: you are unable to apply for a non-material amendment following approval for Listed Building Consent.  You will need to apply for a new pdf Listed Building Consent application (869 KB) which should be submitted detailing the proposed amendments.  A revised Conservation Area consent application will only be required if you propose a lesser or greater amount of demolition than already approved.

Further guidance is available from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

To speak to someone from the planning department, then please contact:

Planning Services
Wychavon District Council
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
WR10 1PT
Telephone: 01386 565565 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Planning Conditions

When planning permission is granted, the decision notice is issued which may specify conditions which have to be met to comply with the planning approval. Some of these conditions require further details to be submitted to the Council before work can start on site.

Examples might include:

  • giving details of drainage
  • details of external facing materials
  • work to improve the highway access are carried out before work starts.

If work starts without compliance with the terms of the conditions being met, the planning permission may become invalid.

Apply for approval of conditions

You can apply for approval of details reserved by condition through the Planning Portal.

Apply online

If you are unable to apply online please complete a pdf paper form (771 KB)  and submit by email using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

pdf Guidance notes (44 KB)  and pdf checklists (98 KB) are available to help you complete your application.

The fee for this application is £145 per application, (or £43 for conditions on ‘householder’ applications). 

Please note that when all conditions can be discharged at once there will only be one fee. If they are discharged separately there will be a fee each time you apply.

We aim to respond to applications within 8 weeks. If an answer is not given within 12 weeks, the fee will be refunded.

If you require confirmation that planning conditions have been discharged please contact Planning Services by email using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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