In case you have missed it, this post is to draw your attention significant changes in planning fees that will come into effect on 6th December 2023 as a result of new regulations stemming from the recently enacted Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill attains Royal Assent
The key provisions of these regulations include:
- Fee Increase: Planning application fees will experience a 35% increment for major development applications and a 25% rise for all other applications.
- Annual Indexation: Starting from 1st April 2025, an annual indexation of planning application fees will be introduced, capped at 10%.
- Removal of Fee Exemption: The ‘free-go’ provision for repeat applications will no longer apply universally. However, applicants can still benefit from a free-go if their application was withdrawn or refused in the preceding 12 months, provided all other conditions for the free-go are met.
- Planning Guarantee Adjustment: The Planning Guarantee period for non-major planning applications, which allows for fees to be refunded in the event of no decision being made, will be reduced from 26 to 16 weeks.
- New Prior Approval Fee: A new prior approval fee of £120 will be applicable for applications related to development by the Crown on closed defence sites.
These adjustments are aimed at fostering increased investment in the planning service, ultimately enhancing the quality of service provided. The government anticipates that the fee increase will contribute positively to the efficiency and effectiveness of planning processes.
The new fees will officially take effect from 6th December 2023. If you have applications that are ready for submission and you wish to avoid the uplift in costs, it will be necessary to ensure your application is validated before this date. Please contact us if you need our assistance to expedite your submission.
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