Following debates in Parliament, the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 have been approved and made on 8th November.
The regulations:
- Increase planning application fees by 35% for applications for major development and 25% for all other applications
- Introduce an annual indexation of planning applications fees, capped at 10%, from 1 April 2025
- Remove the fee exemption for repeat applications (the ‘free-go’). An applicant will still be able to benefit from a free-go if their application was withdrawn or refused in the preceding 12 months, subject to all other conditions for the free-go being met
- Reduce the Planning Guarantee for non-major planning applications from 26 to 16 weeks
- Introduce a new prior approval fee of £120 for applications for prior approval for development by the Crown on closed defence sites
The new fees will come into force for those applications submitted on or after the 6th of December 2023.
An applicant will still be able to benefit from a free-go if their application has been refused or withdrawn in the preceding 12 months, subject to all other conditions for the free-go being met.
Should you propose a building or engineering operation, change of use or display of signage, however minor it may seem, some form of permission or consent may be required from the Local Planning Authority.
Bassetlaw District Council actively encourages the submission of Planning Applications using the Electronic Method, this means you only need to complete one set of forms and there are no printing or postage costs.
All planning application forms and guidance notes can be found electronically via the Planning Portal.
Validation and Registration
It is very important to submit all the required information with your application. This will allow for the validation and registration of your application to be carried out more efficiently and will assist us in determining your application within the statutory timeframe.
Your application will be considered against National Validation Requirements. However if you think the development site is likely to require a bat survey or flood risk assessment for example, then it is recommended that you submit these even though they are not required to make the application valid.
It may become apparent through consideration of the application that additional information is required to enable the officers to properly assess and determine the application. The Case Officer will contact you should this be the case and will discuss any Implications on the timescale of any decision and the possible need for an extension of time.
Further information regarding Making an Application is available on the GOV.UK.
Biodiversity Net Gain
In England, BNG is becoming mandatory under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021). Developers must deliver 10% BNG for major developments from 12th February 2024, and small sites from April 2024.
Find out more on our Biodiversity Net Gain page.
Planning Application Fees
Fees for planning applications are set by central government under The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012.
A Guide to Planning Fees from 6 December 2023
How can I request a refund for a planning application?
Once paid, most planning application fees cannot be refunded. There are a few exceptions to this, including:
- in relation to the Planning Guarantee
- when a request for a written confirmation of compliance is not completed within 12 weeks
- in some circumstances for deemed planning applications
In order to request a refund or partial refund for an application, you will need to contact Planning Services on 01909 533 533 or planning@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Will my fee be refunded if my planning application is refused?
There is no refund in respect of planning application fees, irrespective of the decision that is made.
Permission in Principle
Permission in principle is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development. It separates the consideration of matters of principle for the proposed development from the technical detail of the development.
The permission in principle consent route has 2 stages. The first stage (permission in principle) establishes whether a site is suitable in principle. The second stage (technical details consent) is when the detailed development proposals are assessed.
Making an application
It is not currently possible to apply online via the Planning Portal for this type of application.
Applications for Technical Details Consent based on a granted Permission in Principle should be submitted as a Full Planning Permission with details of the related Permission in Principle provided in the description.
Validation List
National Planning Policy and Guidance requires a Local Validation List which is up-to-date to clearly set out the validation requirements for applications for development. Such a list should not have been adopted more than two years before a given planning application is determined. This Local Validation List is considered to be both Council and customer facing and is considered to comprehensively list the validation requirement in an easy-to-understand format.
Last Updated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024