CLA Consultation Response to Fees for Planning Applications

The CLA have responded to a MHCLG consultation seeking views on proposals to establish a new national default fee schedule for planning applications and on the principles of local fee setting. Whilst the CLA supports the aim of the consultation in ensuring a better-resourced planning system, it cannot support exceptionally high fee increases that risk making development in rural areas unviable. In particular, we have made the point that planning fees are only part of the cost burden associated with submitting a planning application, requests for specialist surveys and reports are still a substantial expense.