On 16th July 2026 the Government published its response to the: Fees for Planning Applications Consultation. From a PAS perspective, the government's response provides much greater certainty that LPAs should now begin preparing the evidence, costing methodologies and governance arrangements needed for local fee setting - PAS can begin helping you with this now in anticipation of the regulations later this year.
We've picked out our top 10 highlights - take a look - what stands out for you ?
- National planning fees will increase this summer, with the intention of bringing the new fees into force before the end of the year (subject to Parliamentary approval).
- Local fee setting is definitely proceeding. Government will introduce a framework allowing LPAs to vary planning fees to reflect local costs, supported by regulations and guidance later this year.
- PAS will help develop the national approach. Government has confirmed it is working with the Planning Advisory Service to produce standard methodologies, guidance and toolkits to support local fee setting.
- Evidence will be critical. LPAs will need to demonstrate how locally set fees have been calculated using a transparent, evidence-based approach. Government guidance will cover eligible costs, transparency and consistency.
- A 30% cap has been proposed for locally varied fees above the National Default Fee Schedule. Authorities wishing to exceed this would need to justify the increase to the Secretary of State.
- Secretary of State intervention powers will be available where locally set fees are considered unreasonably high or low.
- Performance remains linked to higher fees. Government is clear that additional fee income should lead to improved planning performance and says it will continue to monitor speed and quality of decision-making.
- Further structural fee reforms are still to come. The response signals future work on issues such as complex and phased developments, EIA applications, fee caps, mixed-use schemes and other fee categories that do not currently reflect actual costs.
- The proposed statutory consultee surcharge has not yet been finalised. A further consultation on its detailed design and operation will take place before the end of the year.
- This is a phased programme of reform. The Government describes today's response as the first stage: national fee increases followed by local fee setting and wider structural reform, rather than a single package of changes.