Planning circular 1/2026: planning fees for applications, local reviews and appeals

Introduction

This Circular provides guidance on:

• the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 as amended (‘the Application Fees Regulations’);
• the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 as amended (‘the Appeal Fees Regulations’); and
• the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Local Reviews) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 as amended (‘the Local Review Fees Regulations’).

This consolidated circular replaces Planning Circulars 2/2025 and 3/2025.

How to use this guidance

• Part A – includes definitions and calculation rules which apply to applications, notices of review and appeals.
• Part B applies to the calculation of application fees under the Application Fees Regulations.
• Part C applies to the calculation of fees for local reviews and appeals under the Appeal Fees Regulations and Local Review Fees Regulations.
• Annex A provides quick reference tables.

Effective date

This Circular relates to fees for making an application or giving a notice of review to a planning authority or making an appeal to Scottish Ministers on or after 1 April 2026.

Annual inflation-linked increases (CPI)

Planning fees are increased annually in line with inflation over the previous year. The changes being implemented on 1 April 2026 see fees increase by 3.9%. Planning fees are intended to be increased in line with inflation for each year going forwards.

Contacts

DirectorPAR@gov.scot Development Management, Scottish Government, Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ