Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has removed planning fees for non-profit making organisations applying for planning permission for community facilities such as sports grounds and playing fields.

This is part of the Minister's overhaul of planning fees to make them simpler and fairer. This will also help alleviate the financial burden on individuals, developers and others affected by the economic downturn.

The changes, that take effect from 28 May 2014, include:

• removing the fee for applications for non-profit making organisations in respect of applications for the provision of community facilities (including sports grounds) and playing fields;

• cutting fees to 25% for applications to renew planning permission;

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• introducing a fairer approach to calculating fees for minerals, gas and waste developments; and

• keeping the inflationary increase to planning fees to the absolute minimum at 1.3%.

This means, for example that the application fee to renew a single dwelling (£851) would reduce to £213, similarly to renew an application for 1,000 square metres of retail floor space would reduce from £4,998 to £1,250.

Mr Durkan said: "This overhaul of the fee structure will provide practical assistance to individuals, developers and non-profit making organisations.

"Communities will directly benefit. Removing the fees for non-profit making organisations seeking to build community facilities will make it easier for these organisations to put forward proposals like sports grounds and pitches that can be enjoyed by all."

The Minister continued: "I am also keen to assist individuals and developers who may be struggling to implement their approved plans before their planning permission expires. Under this new structure, an application to renew a planning application will be 25% less than the usual fee as long as the application is made before the original has expired.

"The changes to the way fees are calculated for minerals, gas and waste developments are a more common sense approach. These ensure that the fee is more proportionate to the actual site area involved. This will reduce the fees for many developers."

(CD/MH)