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

Part B — Planning Applications

B.1 Scope

The Application Fees Regulations apply to:

• applications for planning permission;
• applications for planning permission in principle;
• applications for the approval of matters specified in conditions imposed on a grant of planning permission in principle;
• applications for consent to display advertisements;
• applications for certificates of lawful use or development; and
• certain applications for the determination as to whether prior approval of a planning authority is required.

Authorities have the discretion to introduce charges for:

• considering requests for written confirmation of compliance with a condition attached to a grant of planning permission;
• discussions undertaken in advance of the submission of an application;
• the preparation of a processing agreement;
• the recovery of costs relating to the preparation and delivery of Masterplan Consent Area Schemes; and
• considering requests to vary a planning permission under section 64 of the 1997 Act (non-material variations).
• They can also impose a surcharge in relation to ‘retrospective applications’ for planning permission for development, made after that development has already been carried out.

The Application Fees Regulations do not apply to any other type of application, and there are no fees for:

• applications for listed building consent;
• applications for certificates of appropriate alternative development; or
• applications to lop or fell trees subject to tree preservation orders.