Planning statutory charges

Nationally set planning application fees

Planning application fees are set nationally and are established in The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

The Government has introduced an automatic, annual increase. This will increase planning fees annually, on 1 April each year, starting on 1 April 2025.

All planning fees will be increased by the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index from the preceding September. The increase will be capped at 10%, even if the inflation rate is higher. The fees will not be changed if there is negative inflation (deflation).

The schedule of new fees will be published in advance of April each year, from April 2025.

Planning fees can be viewed via the following websites:

Exemptions to Statutory Charges

In some circumstances, fees do not apply to applications. This may be due to the type of application (for example Listed Building Consent applications have no fee) or due to the applicant’s circumstances.

The list of exemptions can be viewed via the GOV.UK website Fees for planning applications - 

Refunds and adjustments

Most planning application fees cannot be refunded once the application has been submitted. However, there are some exceptions to this.

The Planning Guarantee applies where a planning application has not been determined within a specified time, unless a longer period, known as an extension of time, has been agreed in writing between the applicant and the Local Planning Authority.

A refund for major planning applications is due if a decision has not been made within 26 weeks, and for non-major planning applications is due where no decision has been made within 16 weeks.

For condition discharge applications, a refund is due where no written confirmation has been made within 12 weeks.

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