Free Tool

Planning Fee Calculator

Planning application fees in England are set by government and increase each April in line with CPI inflation. From 1 April 2026, householder applications cost £548. It pays to know exactly what type of application you need before you commit. Select your application type below to get the current fee and a breakdown of the other costs to budget for.

Fee update: Planning application fees in England increased on 1 April 2026 by 3.8% (CPI indexation). Householder applications now cost £548. This calculator uses the current rates.

Current fee schedule

Application typeFee
Householder application (extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings etc)£548
New dwelling within the curtilage of an existing dwellinghouse£272
Prior Approval — Larger Home Extension (Class A)£249
Prior Approval — Additional Storey (Class AA)£260
Lawful Development Certificate (proposed works)£274
Lawful Development Certificate (existing works)£309
Change of use to a single dwellinghouse£610
New dwelling — Minor (1–9 homes)£610 per dwelling
Advertisement consent (Category 3)£610

These are England fees only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different fee schedules.

VAT is not charged on planning application fees — these are the total amounts payable to the LPA.

Add your address (optional)

Enter your address to see your council's typical decision time and approval rate alongside the fee.

Calculate your fee

Select the type of application you need to make. If you are not sure, choose “Not sure” for a quick guide. Most homeowners building an extension, loft conversion, or outbuilding will need either a householder application or a Lawful Development Certificate.

What happens after you pay

Submission

Submit via the Planning Portal (planningportal.co.uk) or directly to your LPA. Pay the fee at submission. You’ll receive a validation confirmation within a few days.

Decision timeline

Householder applications: target 8 weeks. Prior Approval: 42 days. LDC: 8 weeks. Your LPA may take longer — check their average decision times on their website.

If refused

You have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate free of charge. Alternatively, you can resubmit a revised application — the fee is payable again. Some councils offer free resubmission within 12 months for minor amendments.

Other costs to budget

Architect or planning agent

For a householder application, expect £800–£2,500 depending on complexity. Some people submit without an agent for simple extensions.

Pre-application advice

Most LPAs charge £50–£300 for a pre-app meeting. Not compulsory but reduces the risk of an expensive refusal.

Building regulations

Separate from planning. Most extensions and loft conversions need building regulations approval. Budget £400–£1,000+ for a full plans application via your council or a private Approved Inspector.

Party wall notices

If you are building near a shared wall or boundary, you may need to serve notices under the Party Wall Act. Using an agreed surveyor typically costs £700–£1,500+ per neighbour. Use our party wall calculator to check whether your project is affected.

Frequently asked questions