New Planning Application Fees: Key Changes Coming in April 2025
New Planning Application Fees: What You Need to Know for April 2025
As of 1 April 2025, new planning application fees are set to take effect, following the Government's consultation in July 2024 and the publication of draft amendments to the Town and Country Planning (Fees) Regulations 2012. If approved, these changes will impact both householders and developers, with fees rising annually in line with inflation, capped at 10%.
Here’s what you need to know about the proposed fee changes:
Annual Fee Increases from April 2025
From 1 April 2025, planning application fees will rise annually with inflation, but there will be a cap of 10% on the increase each year.
For the first year, fees will increase by 1.7%, applying to the current fees. However, this increase will not be applied to the new fees introduced in April 2025, which will come into effect once the regulations are approved.
Key Changes to Planning Application Fees
Several fees will see significant increases, especially for certain types of applications. Here are some of the key proposed changes:
Section 73 Applications
Section 73 applications, which involve varying or removing conditions attached to a previous permission, will have a revised fee structure:
- £86 for householders (a new fee category)
- £586 for non-major development
- £2,000 for major development
Approval of Details Reserved by Condition
The fee for approval of details reserved by condition will double:
- £86 for householders (up from £43)
- £298 for other developments (up from £149)
Prior Approval Applications
Fees for prior approval applications will see a notable increase:
- £240 for non-building operations (up from £120)
- £516 for applications involving building operations (up from £258)
Change of Use to Residential
The fee for changing commercial use to residential will rise from £125 to £250 per dwellinghouse.
Increased Fees for Householder Applications
One of the most significant changes will be to householder applications. From April 2025:
- £528 for a single dwellinghouse application (up from £262)
- £1,043 for two or more dwellinghouses
- The current fee of £258 for small-scale works will remain unchanged.
Exemptions and concessions, such as for disabled accommodation, will continue, but these higher fees are expected to cover only the costs of processing applications. More than half of the respondents to the consultation suggested higher fees, making this the lowest option.
Concerns and Considerations
A common concern raised during the consultation was that higher fees might lead to an increase in unauthorised development, as individuals may be discouraged from submitting formal applications. The Government acknowledged this concern but emphasized that Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) have enforcement measures in place to address unauthorised development.
The fee increase is deemed necessary to prevent subsidising householder development through other funding sources, ensuring the planning system remains self-sustaining.
Future Fee Changes on the Horizon
Looking beyond 2025, the Government plans to allow local authorities more control over setting their own planning application fees. Additionally, the Government will review national fees to ensure full cost recovery, particularly for categories such as listed building consent and tree preservation orders, where current fees are seen as too low.
First Annual Fee Increase Set for April 2026
Starting from 1 April 2026, planning application fees will increase annually based on inflation, in line with Regulation 18A. This will be the first official fee increase after the new structure takes effect in April 2025.
Conclusion
The new planning application fees coming into effect in April 2025 are designed to help cover the costs of administering the planning system and prevent the need for funding from other sources. While these increases may be challenging for some, they are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the system and the continued processing of planning applications.
Make sure to stay updated on further developments as the regulations are finalised, and be prepared for the upcoming changes in April 2025.
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