Planning portal updates to reflect government’s April 2025 fee increases
The Planning Portal, powered by TerraQuest, has announced a significant update to its online platform, which will help the planning industry navigate the upcoming planning fee increases scheduled to take effect in April 2025.
The platform, through which 97% of planning applications in England are submitted has been updated to include a fee calculator reflecting the increases set out by the government alongside the publication of its new National Planning Policy Framework. The fee increases have been provided for in the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025.
Key Update Features:
- Updated Fee Calculator: The new fee calculator incorporates the announced fee increases, helping users calculate the exact planning fees based on the new structure.
- Automatic Fee Updates: Starting in April 2025, the platform will automatically update any draft planning applications to reflect the new fee levels, ensuring a seamless transition for users.
What’s Changing with Planning Fees?
In the majority of cases, the new fee structure will double the current fees charged by local planning authorities for planning applications. Some fees will increase by several hundred pounds, including a 1.7% inflationary uplift, as well as adjustments designed to help local authorities recover the actual costs of determining planning applications.
These fee increases are part of the government's effort to address capacity and resourcing challenges within the planning sector, while ensuring the process of application determination is more efficient.
Insights from TerraQuest CEO
Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest (the company behind Planning Portal), commented:
“These nationally set fee increases will help local planning authorities address capacity and resourcing challenges that have been widely acknowledged in the industry. We hope that these changes will ultimately lead to faster application determinations, providing the built environment sector with valuable improvements in exchange for the fee increase."
While the fee increases aim to improve the efficiency of the planning process, Geoff Keal acknowledged the challenges these changes may pose for smaller businesses, saying:
“We recognise that these fee increases may represent a challenge, particularly for small businesses in the sector. This is why we have updated Planning Portal ahead of time to help ensure a smooth transition and minimise the administrative burden for users."
Why This Update Matters for the Planning Industry
The update to the Planning Portal provides significant value to planning professionals, developers, and businesses by:
- Increasing transparency: The fee calculator makes it easier for users to understand the financial impact of the changes.
- Improving efficiency: Automatic updates to draft applications ensure that users stay on track with the new fee structure.
- Supporting smaller businesses: The early announcement of the fee increases offers businesses the time they need to prepare and adapt.
The introduction of these fee increases is a pivotal moment for the planning application process in England. By staying informed through Planning Portal, users can ensure their applications are processed smoothly despite these significant changes.
