Environment Minister Alex Attwood today launched a consultation on proposed changes to planning fees.

The proposed amendments are designed to reshape elements of the fee structure, with a view to alleviating the financial burden on individuals, developers and others affected by the economic downturn as a further phase of necessary reform of planning.

This includes cutting fees to 25% for applications to renew planning permission and a fairer approach to calculating fees for minerals, gas and waste developments. For example; the application fee to renew a single dwelling (currently £840) would reduce to £210, similarly to renew an application for 1,000 square metres of retail floor space would reduce from £4,928 to £1,232.

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Mr Attwood said: "Both as part of making planning more and more fit for purpose and in the current economic climate, it is important to take measures to assist individuals and developers who are struggling to implement their approved plans before the relevant permission expires.

"If permissions are not implemented and subsequently lapse, this could delay economic recovery and frustrate the hopes of citizens and families. For this reason, I am proposing to reduce the fee for an application to renew planning permission, provided the application is made before the original permission has expired, to 25% of the usual fee.

"I also propose to remove the fee and have 'zero fees' for applications for non-profit making organisations in respect of applications for the provision of community facilities (including sports grounds) and playing fields.

"Another step I propose is a change to the way fees are calculated for minerals, gas and waste developments. This is designed to ensure the fee charged for such applications is more proportionate to the actual site area involved and, as a result, many developers will in future pay less than at present."

(CD/H)