Its consultation paper (43-page / 237KB PDF) proposes reducing the fee payable when an application to renew a planning permission is made by 25%. Currently, the fee for renewals is the same as when making a new planning application. A full fee will continue to be payable when applying to renew a lapsed permission.
The Government said in the paper that the proposals were made in response to the economic downturn, which has led to a reduction in the implementation rate of schemes that already have planning permission.
"If large numbers of permissions are not implemented and subsequently lapse, this could delay economic recovery. Developers would either put their plans on hold indefinitely or would have to make new planning applications for those schemes, which could lead to delay and additional costs," the paper said.
The paper also included proposals for a revised methodology for calculating fees for mixed use applications and to remove the fee exemptions for resubmitted applications for Certificates of Lawful Use or Development and consent to display advertisements.
The Government said in a statement that the paper was the first set of proposals to be brought forward as part of the second phase of a review of planning fees and funding. "The aim of the review is to develop a fair and fit for purpose charging system that will ensure the planning function is sustainable both before and after the transfer of planning to local government," it said.
