Planning Fee Increase 2025
12th February 2025
Planning application fee increases proposed for April 2025
The UK government has proposed to significantly increase planning application fees for domestic extensions in England on 1st April 2025. Unless faced with a significant backlash, these proposals are expected to be made as they are part of an effort to improve the planning system, going someway to address the rising costs of processing applications. Among the most notable potential changes are substantial fee hikes for householder planning applications and discharge of condition applications.
With April fast approaching there is still time to submit your applications and avoid these additional costs. For assistance, you can contact us here
Householder planning fees
For householder planning applications, which are typically sought for extensions to existing properties, the fee will more than double from £258 to £528. This represents a 105% increase in application fee.
A new fee of £288 is being introduced for ‘Works within/along the boundary of an existing dwellinghouse’, which will comprise small-scale operations within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, such as the construction of gates, fences, and walls
Discharge of Conditions planning fees
Similarly, discharge of condition applications, which are used to seek approval for conditions attached to previously granted planning permissions, will also see a significant rise. The fee for these applications relating to alterations/extensions to dwellinghouses; or works within/ along the boundary of a dwellinghouse will increase from £43 to £86. For any other development they will increase from £145 to £298, more than a 100% increase.
Discharge of condition applications are often necessary for projects that involve larger-scale developments, including residential and commercial builds.
Impact on applicants
The Planning Portal, the platform used to submit most planning applications, currently charges an administration fee for applications that attract a fee over £60. This fee is in addition to the planning fee and is currently set at £70. It is yet to be seen if the planning portal will increase their threshold to reflect the expected fee increases.
It is clear that the biggest impact of the fee changes will be on homeowners looking to improve their homes. The cost of applying for planning permission for a typical home extension will increase by a minimum of £270 and potentially up to £383 for applications that end up with conditions to discharge.
Applications for Full Planning applications, which are typically used for larger developments, are due to increase by £10 to £588 for a single dwelling.
Although April is fast approaching there is still time to submit your applications and avoid these additional costs. For assistance, you can contact us here
A full list of proposed fee changes can be found here