Changes to Planning Application Submission Costs
Upcoming Changes to Planning Application Costs – What You Need to Know
From 31 March 2025, the cost of submitting a planning application via Planning Portal will be increasing. These changes reflect rising costs across the planning sector and are influenced by both government policy updates and operational expenses.
Why Are Costs Increasing?
There are two main reasons behind this price adjustment:
1. Government Fee Increase: From 1 April 2025, the UK Government is raising statutory planning fees across the sector. This will impact costs for all applicants.
2. Higher Processing Costs: The costs associated with processing planning applications—such as security, payment handling, platform maintenance, and customer support—have significantly increased.
What Are the New Fees?
From 31 March 2025, the following changes will take effect:
• Updated Planning Portal Service Charge: £70.33 + VAT
• Minimum Fee Threshold Increase: Rising from £60 to £100 (Applications under £100 will not be subject to a service charge)
Why Is the Service Charge Increasing?
This charge is essential for maintaining and improving services that benefit the entire planning and construction sector. The additional revenue will allow for:
Continued maintenance and enhancement of essential planning services.
Development of innovative tools and AI-powered features to streamline the application process.
Dedicated customer support to assist applicants and planning professionals.
Secure and efficient payment processing for smoother transactions.
Temporary Service Downtime
To ensure a smooth transition, the Planning Portal website will be taken offline at 5 PM on 31 March 2025 for updates. This is necessary to comply with the new Government fee changes, which take effect on 1 April 2025.
Investing in the Future of Planning
The planning and construction landscape is evolving, and these changes are part of a broader effort to create a more efficient, digital-first system. Through ongoing investment, Planning Portal aims to:
Simplify processes and reduce administrative burdens with user-friendly digital solutions.
Enhance automation and data accuracy, reducing errors and invalid applications.
Ensure compliance with new legislative and policy updates.
Submit Your Planning Application Before Prices Rise
If you are planning to submit an application, consider doing so before 31 March 2025 to avoid the increased costs. By submitting early, you can ensure your application is processed under the current fee structure before the changes take effect.