Planning Applications Fee Update 24.11.2023

Key Updates

• From December 6th planning application fees in England will increase by 25% and 35% for major schemes

• The ‘free go’ resubmission is to be abolished for applications submitted after December 6th.

• A fee will be introduced for prior approval applications regarding development on Crown or closed Defence Sites.

• Planning Fees will now rise annually from April 2025 linked to inflation (capped at 10%)

• The ‘planning guarantee’ has been shortened from 26 weeks to 16 weeks.

Cut off for submissions

Any planning applications which are to be submitted under the old fee structure will need to be lodged on or before 5th December 2023 to allow time for processing. Any applications submitted after this date either through the Planning Portal or to the Local Authorities will be charged at the new rates.

Removal of ‘free go’

Previously if an application was withdrawn or refused there was the option to re-submit within a period of 12 months and similar applications with more information or revisions. From the 6th December this will no-longer be the case for applications submitted after this date.

This presents what this practice feels is a significant challenge for planning applications in the future as with the option of a ‘free go’ removed  it greatly reduces the flexibility of the planning system. Taking into account the current attitudes we deal with from the planning authorities we foresee that this will significantly increase the number of planning appeals submitted.