Get your plans in now or face paying more
Planning application fees in England were originally set to increase by up to 20 per cent from July.
However, this was delayed and it now looks likely that the increase will now happen in the autumn.
When it does, this could be a real issue for many farmers who have been considering this area, bearing in mind the considerable charges that are paid already on some applications.
However, the good news is there is still a window of opportunity to get an application submitted over the next couple of months and pay the lower current fees.
Agricultural building fees are based on floor space, and the fees range from £80 to an eyewatering £250,000. A 20 per cent rise on any amount would not be welcomed, but increased fees on a substantial application could render a project commercially unviable and leave a nasty taste thinking about what could have been just a few months ago.
We have recently submitted a planning application for an agricultural building with a planning fee of £7,520. The farmer in this case is keen for us also to press on with a further building on his farm, prior to the increase, as the 20 per cent significantly affects the cost of obtaining planning consent.
The message is clear … it’s time to take action!
The justification for the increase is provided that the additional income is solely for the improvement of the planning services, and must be ring fenced to do so. This may see improvements in the training of staff, the improvement to IT, the addition of new staff, the reorganisation of the structures to make them more efficient, however each local authority will be able to use the additional income as they wish for the improvement of the planning services. With this the hope is that it wills see applications determined more efficiently.
Fortunately, the one benefit of a national rise, is that each local authority in England will still have planning fees as each other, although at present set at different levels to those in Wales.
While the exact date is currently unknown for any potential rise, it is unlikely to be until autumn at the earliest. The question then will be, will a noticeable difference in the local authority’s planning department be seen?
With this in mind, if you are intending to make a planning application, now is the time to consider.
McCartneys has a number of planning experts within its Survey Department. For further information please see the company’s website www.mccartneys.co.uk
Geraint Jones BSc(Hons) MRICS is a chartered building surveyor at McCartneys Kington office
