In the dynamic landscape of architectural and planning regulations, staying informed is crucial. We are here to bring you updates on the latest legislative amendments set to impact planning application fees in England. The changes have been formally approved and are scheduled to take effect on December 6th, 2023.

Key Points:

• Fee Increases Across the Board:
  • Application fees in England are set to increase by 25% universally, with a steeper rise of 35% for major schemes, defined by the legislative interpretation of ‘major development.’

• Removal of ‘Free Go’ on Resubmissions:
  • The provision for a ‘free go’ on application resubmissions in England is being removed. Applications submitted after December 6th, 2023, will no longer benefit from this exemption.

• Introduction of a Fee for Prior Approval Application:
  • A fee will be introduced for the prior approval application required for permitted development rights concerning ‘development by the Crown on a closed defense site.’

• Annual Rise Linked to Inflation:
  • Starting from April 2025, an annual rise in application fees, linked to inflation and capped at 10%, will be implemented.

• Planning Guarantee Tightening:
  • Undetermined non-major applications, including householder developments, will now be eligible for a refund after 16 weeks, shortened from the previous 26-week period.

What You Need to Do:

• Review the New Fee Schedule:
  • Familiarise yourself with the forthcoming fee schedule to understand the increased fees and related changes to rules and exemptions.

• Changes to Co-Arch:
  • Our fees will remain the same during these changes that will be taking effect on 6th December 2023. At Co-Arch we are mindful that this may cause an inconvenience for existing and future clients.

• Application Submission:
  • We are working hard to get our current client’s applications submitted before this change. Applications not submitted before the change (after 5th December 2023) will be subject to increased fees. We will ensure fee calculations are updated for accuracy.

• Local Planning Authorities:
  • Expect applications submitted after the change to arrive with new fees. If there are concerns about incorrect fees, contact the applicant/agent for clarification. Please let us know via our email info@co-arch.co.uk or alternatively contact your corresponding team member directly.

Stay tuned for updates on specific processes to accommodate these changes. Your understanding and cooperation during this transition are greatly appreciated.