Planning Application Fees Increase

Planning Application Fees Increase

James Firth

James Firth

Mar, 14 2025

The Government is moving ahead with changes to Planning Fees in England. These changes will affect projects for landowners, farmers, and developers.

Incremental Fee Increases

First, the changes introduce incremental increases for most types of applications. The rise equals 1.7%. In addition, the Government plans annual fee increases going forward.

Prior Approval Fees Double

Alongside these adjustments, the fee for Prior Approval applications under Permitted Development Legislation will double. It jumps from £120 to £240 for most development types.

Significant Increase for Agricultural Buildings

Moreover, there is a major increase for full planning applications for agricultural buildings over 1,000 sqm. For example:

  • Buildings of 1,000 sqm will see fees rise from £624 to £5,077.
  • Additional fees apply for buildings above this threshold.

The Government states this corrects an error in previous regulations. Meanwhile, full applications for agricultural buildings under 1,000 sqm and those over 4,215 sqm will see more modest increases.

Changes for Section 73 Applications

Other significant increases affect developers seeking removal or variation of conditions (Section 73). This process is commonly used to modify schemes with existing planning permission. Previously, the fee was £293. Now, it varies by development scale. For major developments, a Section 73 application will cost £2,000.

Effective Date

Finally, these changes take effect on 1 April 2025. Therefore, developers and landowners should prepare now to avoid surprises.

Full applications for agricultural buildings – current

Source: Legislation.gov.uk – The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012

Full applications for agricultural buildings – new fees from 1st April 2025

Sources:

Legislation.gov.uk – The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025

Office for National Statistics – Consumer price inflation, UK – Office for National Statistics

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