Planning Application Fee Calculator

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Understanding how much a planning application will cost is an essential first step for anyone preparing to build, extend, or renovate a property in the United Kingdom. At Molecule Designs, we know that budgeting accurately can save time, money, and stress during the planning process. Our Planning Application Fee Calculator is designed to give homeowners, developers, and architects a clear, reliable estimate of the fees required by a Local Planning Authority (LPA) before work can begin. By combining up-to-date government regulations with our design and planning expertise, we help you approach your project with confidence, ensuring you meet all legal requirements and avoid unpleasant financial surprises.

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What Is a Planning Application Fee Calculator and Why Use It?

 

A planning application fee calculator is a tool that estimates how much you’ll need to pay to apply for planning permission from your local authority. Because planning application cost in the UK depends on many variables, such as the type of development, site size, number of dwellings, and whether the application is “full” or “outline”, this calculator helps simplify a complex calculation.

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Using such a tool gives you a ballpark figure in advance, helping you set realistic budgets and decide whether a project is financially viable before you commit time and money. However, it’s important to understand that the calculated figure is an estimate only: the Local Planning Authority (LPA) makes the final determination and may adjust the fee based on their internal checks. Many online calculators (like on the Planning Portal) carry a disclaimer to that effect.

At Molecule Designs, our clients often ask us, “How much will planning permission cost for my extension or development?” That’s why we support you with clarity on fee structure, exemptions, and the calculator logic, so you’re never caught off guard.

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How Does the Planning Application Fee Calculator Work?

 

When you input data into a fee calculator, it typically asks for several key values:

• The type of development (e.g. householder extension, new dwellings, change of use)
   

• The site area or gross floor area to be built
   

• The number of new units/dwellings, if applicable
   

• Whether the application is an outline or a full/reserved matter
   

• Any other relevant qualifiers (mixed use, agricultural, etc.)
   

The backend logic applies government regulations and fee schedules to compute your charge. For example, many fees are calculated per 0.1 hectare (or part thereof) or per dwelling, depending on the development category. The 2025 version of the regulations ensures fees are automatically increased annually based on inflation (CPI), with a ceiling on the rise.

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The calculator may also include service charges (e.g. for payment processing) when the computed fee passes certain thresholds. On the Planning Portal, applications with a fee over £100 incur a service charge of £70.83 + VAT.

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Keep in mind: when an application covers multiple categories of development (e.g. new dwellings + commercial building), the calculator won’t always simply add fees together. It uses prescribed rules to determine which combination yields the correct total.

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Thus, a good calculator encapsulates government fee regulations, indexation, multiple category logic, and minimal rounding, giving you a result that mirrors what an LPA might expect.

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What Reductions, Exemptions or Concessions Are Available?

 

While many applications require full fees, certain circumstances allow reduced rates, partial discounts, or full exemptions. It’s vital to know these so your calculated fee isn’t overestimated.

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Exemptions (no fee required)

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• Listed Building Consent (when no separate planning permission is needed)
   

• Trees work under Tree Preservation Orders or in conservation areas
   

• Hedgerow removal notices
   

• Applications under certain conditions for permitted development
   

• Works that relate purely to compliance (e.g. compliance with existing planning conditions) in some cases
   

These cases are explicitly listed in the national guidance.

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Reductions / Concessions

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• Applications by parish or community councils may be eligible for a 50 % fee discount.
   

• Alternative proposals submitted simultaneously on the same site by the same applicant can qualify for a reduction (often 50 %) if the alternative is of lesser cost.
   

• If you submit multiple applications on the same site on the same day, you may pay the highest fee plus half the others.
   

• Some non-profit or community uses (sports clubs) can access capped fees (e.g. capped at £588) for specific works.
   

When building your content around the planning application fee calculator, include a section or toggle for “Are you eligible for a discount or exemption?” so users can input their status (community, non-profit, etc.) and see a revised estimate. That both aids usability and demonstrates expertise.

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What Are the Common Mistakes or Pitfalls When Calculating Fees?

 

Even with a solid calculator, users often slip up. Here are frequent errors we see at Molecule Designs (and many developers make) when estimating planning application fees:

1. Underestimating site area or dwelling numbers
   If you forget to include every parcel of land or miscount dwellings, the fee may be undervalued and rejected by the LPA.
    

2. Omitting service charges / VAT
   Many calculators neglect adding the payment processing fee (e.g. £70.83 + VAT) when the fee is above £100. This omission can lead to insufficient payment.
    

3. Overlapping categories / mixed development miscalculation
   Projects that combine dwellings, commercial, and change-of-use often confuse calculators. The rules for multiple categories are not simply additive.
    

4. Assuming estimates are binding
   Some believe the calculator’s output is definitive. But in reality, the LPA will review and may adjust your fee (up or down) based on precise definitions.
    

5. Ignoring local or site-specific exceptions
   Local authorities might apply special policies or have local fee supplements or caps.
    

6. Not updating figures over time
   Because fees change annually (April 1st), a calculator with outdated data may yield misleading results. The 2025 inflation-based uplift is a prime example.
    

To avoid these pitfalls, ensure your calculator is kept current, shows its assumptions (e.g. date, rate tables used), flags when multiple categories are present, and alerts users to confirm with their LPA.

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Why Do Planning Application Fees Increase?

 

Development costs and administrative burdens evolve, which is why planning application fees are not static. In England:

• Since 1 April 2025, fees have been automatically increased each year based on the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) from the preceding September.
   

• The government caps the annual increase at 10 % even if inflation is higher.
   

• Beyond inflation, policy adjustments can introduce steeper hikes. In 2025, certain application types saw fee increases exceeding 100 %.
   

• The rationale: shift more of the planning service burden onto those using it (developers, homeowners), rather than general taxpayers.
   

Given these dynamics, any planning application fee calculator must be designed to easily update its base rate tables annually and include a “last updated” stamp so users know whether the estimate reflects current rules.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Is the fee estimated by this tool legally binding?

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No. It is an estimate only. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) may verify your inputs, interpret them differently, and require a different fee when you formally submit your application. Always confirm with the LPA.

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What happens if I underpay the planning application fee?

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If your payment is insufficient, your application may not be validated. The LPA might request additional payment before processing, delay your application, or reject it outright. Always pad your estimate to avoid shortfalls.

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Are there refunds if the LPA overcharged?

 

In some cases, if the LPA identifies that you overpaid, they may refund the excess. However, many authorities require you to request it and provide proof of the correct fee.

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Do all development types require a planning application fee?

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No. Some works, such as certain alterations to listed buildings (when no separate permission is required), tree works under TPO, hedgerow removals, and certain permitted development works, may be exempt.

How often do planning fees change?

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Fees are reviewed annually and tend to increase each 1 April, based on inflation (CPI). Larger regulatory changes may also occur via amendments to the Fees Regulations.

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Can local councils apply their own planning fees?

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Currently, fees are nationally regulated. However, proposed legislation (such as within the Planning and Infrastructure Bill) may allow Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) more control over setting fees in the future. This is not yet in force.

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Real Example Calculations

 

Here are three examples using 2025 rates (for demonstration only):

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Example 1: House Extension (Single Dwelling)

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• Type: Householder full permission
   

• Flat fee: £528 (for work to alter or extend existing dwelling)
   

• Service charge: Add £70.83 + VAT (if applicable)
   

• Final estimate: ~£628 (depending on rounding)
   

Example 2: New Build of 5 Detached Dwellings

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• Type: Full application for new dwellings (<10 units)
   

• Fee per dwelling: £588 × 5 = £2,940
   

• Service charge: add processing fee if required
   

• Final estimate: ~£3,200 (approx, subject to rounding and charges)
   

Example 3: Mixed Use (Residential + Commercial)

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• Suppose you build 3 dwellings + a small retail unit
   

• The calculator will compute the fee for the dwellings + the fee for the commercial component and then apply the rule for mixed development (i.e. you may not simply add both fees; it chooses the higher relevant combination)
   

• Suppose the fee for dwellings = £1,764; the fee for commercial = £1,500; then the total may be the higher combination as per the rules
   

• You may also need to pay the service charge overhead
   

These examples show how different inputs change the outcome, and why understanding the logic is crucial.

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Additional Resources & References

• A Guide to the Fees for Planning Applications (England, 1 April 2025) - official PDF detailing all fee tables. https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/english_application_fees.pdf

• Gov.UK – Fees for Planning Applications - context and regulations governing the fees https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fees-for-planning-applications

• Planning Portal – Fee Calculator (England) - the government’s own interactive calculator
   

• Local planning authority/council planning pages - to verify local nuance
   

Last updated: April 2025. The planning application fee calculator and rates illustrated here reflect the rules effective from 1 April 2025. Because fees are subject to annual increases and regulatory changes, always check with your Local Planning Authority for the final, binding figure.