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Major Increase in Planning Application Fees Set to Begin in April

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Major Increase in Planning Application Fees Set to Begin in April

Planning application fees are set to rise dramatically this April, following the government’s attempt to bridge a staggering £362 million funding gap for local planning authorities. This move builds on the December 2023 increases, which raised fees by 35 per cent for major applications and 25 per cent for all other applications. Despite these measures, the funding shortfall persists, prompting the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) to implement further increases, some exceeding 100 per cent.

 

The Upcoming April 2025 Fee Increases: What You Need to Know

Overview of the Fee Changes

The April fee increases represent a significant financial shift for both individual homeowners and developers. For example, the fee for householder applications for a single home will rise by 105 per cent, from £258 to £528. Developers building two or more homes will face a similar 105 per cent increase, with fees going up from £509 to £1,043.

 

Householder Applications: Significant Increases Explained

Householder applications account for 52 per cent of all planning decisions made by local authorities. The government argues that the higher fees will enable planning departments to process these applications more efficiently, bolstering their overall capacity.

 

Impact on Developers: Fees for Multiple Homes

Fees for applications involving two or more homes will more than double. This measure ensures that larger-scale developments also contribute proportionately to the funding of local planning services.

 

How Local Authorities Will Benefit from the Fee Hike

Prior Approval Fees: Doubling Across the Board


Prior approval fees for projects such as change-of-use applications and minor building works are set to rise significantly. The flat fee will increase from £120 to £240, while prior approvals involving building operations will climb from £258 to £516. This change reflects feedback from local authorities, which indicated that the existing fees were well below the actual costs of processing such applications.

 

Section 73 Applications: A New Three-Tier Fee System

A new banded structure will be introduced for Section 73 applications, which are used to modify or remove conditions attached to planning permissions. These fees will range from £86 for householders to £586 for non-major developments and up to £2,000 for major schemes.

 

Biodiversity Net Gain and Approval of Conditions: Rising Costs

The fee for submitting a biodiversity net gain plan will rise from £145 to £298. Similarly, approval of details reserved by condition will now cost £86 for householders and £298 for other developments—doubling previous rates.

 

Addressing the £362 Million Funding Shortfall

The government justifies the fee increases as necessary to ensure the sustainability of local planning authorities. By targeting fees that were significantly lower than the actual cost of application processing, the MHCLG aims to improve efficiency while addressing the chronic underfunding of development management services.

For those planning property developments, these changes highlight the importance of factoring increased fees into their budgets. Whether for single home improvements or multi-unit developments, stakeholders will need to navigate this evolving financial landscape carefully.

 

If you are looking to apply for planning permission before April 2025, please get in touch with us at 4D Planning and we will turn around your project very quickly!

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