The government publishes a consultation (until 25/04/2023) relating to planning fees and the performance of LPAs …

[UPDATE: For the subsequent government response to this consultation, please view this post.]

The government has published the following consultation, which runs for 8 weeks from 28/02/2023 until 25/04/2023:

Consultation document:

  • February 2023: Technical consultation - Stronger performance of local planning authorities supported through an increase in planning fees (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).

Notes:

  • The webpage (link) for the above consultation document includes the following information:
    - "This consultation seeks views on proposals to increase planning fees and to improve the performance of local planning authorities. We want you to tell us what you think about the proposals to:
    >>> increase planning fees by 35% for major applications and 25% for all other applications
    >>> additional fees for bespoke or ‘fast track’ services
    >>> make an annual inflation-related adjustment to planning fees
    >>> ring-fence additional fees income
    >>> double fees for retrospective applications     [note: this would be "for all [retrospective] applications except for householder applications"]
    >>> remove the ‘free-go’ for repeat applications     [note: or another option would be "charging a reduced fee for re-applications within 12 months"]
    >>> introduce a prior approval fee for the permitted development right [under Part 19 Class TA] allowing the Crown to develop sites within the perimeter of a closed defence site
    >>> build planning capacity and capability within local authorities, including challenges in recruitment and retention, and how these can be addressed
    >>> reduce the Planning Guarantee from 26 weeks to 16 weeks for non-major applications
    >>> improve the quality of the local authority planning service by monitoring more performance measures.     [note: this includes a proposal that "the performance of a local planning authority for speed of decision making should be primarily assessed on the percentage of applications that are determined within the statutory determination period, not an agreed extended period of time"]".
  • Note: Paragraph 21 of the above consultation document states that "Subject to the outcome of this consultation and Parliamentary approval, we intend to introduce this fee increase in summer 2023".