How to apply

Planning permission

When submitting an application, in most cases there will be a planning application fee. However, for some types of consent, e.g. listed buildings and planning permission for relevant demolition in a conservation area, no application fee is required.

You can calculate the planning application fee yourself using the Planning Portal's online fee calculator. If you are unsure about the appropriate fee for your application, you are strongly advised to contact your local planning authority in advance of submitting your application, as an incorrect fee will delay the processing of your application.

Fee Calculator ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/fee-calculator)}

Our fee calculator can be used as a standalone tool, but it is also a step in the online application process. You can also download a guide to the fees for planning applications in England¹.

Where the local planning authority fails to determine your application, or where you submit a valid application and then withdraw it at any time before it has been determined, the application fee will not be refundable. However, if the local authority fails to determine your application, you can appeal.

Payment service

Planning Portal processes all payments for planning applications made online. This means that your online application is paid for using a standardised set of payment options.

A service charge of £70.83 +VAT will apply to all planning applications submitted through our online application system that attract a fee of over £100. This is payable at the time of submission. 

Payments for online applications should not be made directly to local planning authorities.

Find out more from our FAQ².

Payment

Application fees can be calculated using our fee calculator. 

The following methods are available to pay for your application:

• Secure online payment by credit/debit card or via digital wallets (for payments up to £1,000)
• Payment by telephone (for payments up to £1,000)
• Payment by bank transfer
• Payment by cheque
• Nominate somebody else to pay (via the above methods and transaction limits).

Building regulations approval

By submitting your building control application via Planning Portal you can agree a fee directly with the building control body during the process, meaning the full application is managed online. 

How fees are set

Local authority building control bodies set their fees and will advise you of the cost when you 'Request a fee' as part of the online application, or you can enter a pre-agreed fee. 

If using a registered building control approver, they will discuss fees with you and you can agree on a cost for the work, management of fees and payment can be done via the building control application service in a similar way.

1. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/english_application_fees.pdf
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/help/faq/applications/payment/why-is-there-a-service-charge-for-submitting-planning-applications