Planning application fees set to rise
02 March 2023
The Government is consulting on plans to increase planning application fees for major applications by 35%. The suggestion has been supported by some in the industry who see local authority under-resourcing as one of the key constraints on our planning system.
The consultation asks for views on whether the extra money should go directly to planning departments and be ring-fenced for planning use only. Better performance from local authorities will be expected as a result, and more training and other support to improve capability as well as capacity are promised.
Whilst the prospect of greater costs isn't exactly good news, many in the development industry are prepared to pay more if it results in better resourced planning teams, who deliver a higher quality and faster service.
The consultation closes on 25 April 2023 and depending on the responses received, and Parliamentary approval, the plan is for the higher fees to be introduced in the Summer.
A new fee structure for amending planning permissions will be consulted on later once the new legislation in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill on variations has come into force. Watch this space for more from us on that in due course.
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