If you were expecting to hear confirmation that final Parliamentary approval to the increase in planning application fees by 20% and the introduction of new planning consent categories regarding applications for Permission in Principle were to be confirmed this year then you will be sadly disappointed.

Brexit once again gets in the way of Parliament finalising domestic legislation. The Government has yet to schedule into the order of business for the House of Commons final approval to the required Statutory Instrument necessary to complete the enactment of these changes to the planning system. Until it does, the need to factor in a significant increase in planning application fee rates remains “on hold” with no indication as to when Local Planning Authorities can legally adopt a new fee structure. The same goes for Permissions in Principle.

We do hear though, that finalisation of the required Statutory Instrument is slowly moving up the list of “remaining orders and notices.” We say… don’t hold your breath too long on this.

Season’s Greetings from all of us at FoddyConsult to our clients, contacts and friends.