Planning fee increases

Planning Fee Increases

The Government has introduced a draft statutory instrument that will raise planning application fees across England. While some planning fee increases are modest, others are more significant, particularly for Householder and Class Q applications, which will see increases of 100% or more. Chartered Town Planner Michael Bamford outlines the planning fee increases that are coming into effect from April 1st 2025.

Details of the planning fee increases

Householder Applications:

  • The fee for enlarging, improving, or altering a single dwellinghouse will increase from £258 to £528.
  • The fee for enlarging, improving, or altering two or more dwellinghouses will increase from £509 to £1,043.
  • The fee of £258 for small-scale householder developments within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse will remain unchanged.

Prior Approvals:

  • The fee for prior approval applications that don’t involve building work will rise from £120 to £240.
  • The fee for prior approval applications that do involve building work will rise from £258 to £516.
  • The fee for prior approvals related to changing the use of Class E properties to residential (under Class MA of the GDPO) will increase from £125 per dwelling to £250 per dwelling.
  • The fees for prior approvals related to constructing new dwellinghouses will remain the same.

Section 73 Applications:

A new three-tier fee structure will apply to Section 73 applications:

  • £86 for householder applications
  • £586 for non-major developments
  • £2,000 for major developments

Discharge of Conditions:

  • The fee for applying to approve details reserved by condition will increase:
    • From £43 to £86 for householders
    • From £145 to £298 for other types of development
  • The fee for submitting a Biodiversity Gain Plan will rise from £145 to £298.

“Corrections”:

The Order also corrects fees for two categories that were previously set too low:

  • The fee for an outline application to build a structure exceeding 3,750 square meters will rise to £31,385.
  • The fee for an agricultural building application, with a gross floor area between 1,000 and 4,215 square meters, will increase to £5,077.

At the end of 2024 the latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published by the government. This revised framework introduces significant changes to national policy, focusing on improving housing delivery, protecting the environment, and ensuring sustainable development.

For advice on the new National Planning Policy Framework, and/or the planning fee increases our expert planners are on hand to outline the changes, challenges and opportunities for developers, architects, home and landowners. Contact us on 01332 347371 or email enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk for more information or to book an in person consultation.

Michael Bamford, Director, Chartered Town Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

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