Pre-application fees
Summary
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Sets out the fees for written pre-application planning advice from 1 April 2026 and states payment is due when the request is submitted. Fees vary by enquiry type, including householder (£96), single or replacement dwelling (£196), 2–5 dwellings (£375), 6–10 dwellings (£988), non-residential/commercial up to 500 sq m (£349) and 500–1000 sq m (£661), changes of use (£196), listed buildings/advertisements (£79), other building operations (£90), tree enquiries (£90), legal enquiries (£106), and major development/minerals and waste charged at 25% of the planning application fee. If more than one category applies, the higher fee is charged. All fees include VAT and can be paid by cheque, card, or cash. Exemptions include most affordable housing, commoners’ dwellings, certain agricultural development, council-led proposals, and developments exempt from planning application fees. Formal permitted development decisions should use a Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) at 50% of the normal application fee.
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A Guide to Fees for written Pre-Application Advice
These fees apply from 1 April 2026 onwards.
The fee should be paid at the time the request for written pre-application advice is submitted.
| Type of Enquiry | Fee |
|---|---|
| Householder | £96 |
| Single or replacement dwelling | £196 |
| 2 - 5 dwellings | £375 |
| 6 -10 dwellings | £988 |
| Non-residential or commercial (up to 500 sq. metres) | £349 |
| Non-residential or commercial (500 – 1000 sq. metres) | £661 |
| Changes of use | £196 |
| Listed buildings and advertisements | £79 |
| Major development, Minerals and waste |
25% of the application fee |
| Other building operations | £90 |
| Formal enquiries regarding Trees | £90 |
| Legal enquiries | £106 |
Where enquiries relate to more than one category the higher fee applies.
All fees include VAT.
Payments can be made by cheque, credit/debit card or cash.
The following categories of development are exempt from pre-application advice charges:
- Affordable housing (except in the case of affordable housing schemes of six or more dwellings, where the fee will be 50% of the equivalent pre-application fee for open market housing).
- Commoners’ dwellings
- Agricultural buildings (including field shelters) and new agricultural workers’ dwellings
- Proposals made by, or on behalf of, a Parish or Town Council, Local Authority or County Council
- All other types of development which are exempt from paying a planning application fee
Applicants seeking a formal view on the need for planning permission for a specific proposal already have the option to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) which attracts a fee (50% of the normal application fee). This is the route that should be followed for formal permitted development enquiries. It does not prevent planning officers freely providing general planning advice to homeowners on the need for planning permission.