CLA Planning Fees and Performance Consultation

This government consultation on improving the performance of planning departments and increasing planning fees for major applications by 35% and others by 25%. We have objected to the size of the imposed increase, although resisting smaller annual inflationary increases is a more balanced. We were sceptical over whether the increased fees could be ring fenced to pay for improvements, and therefore lost to the planning function. Real pressure needs to be put on local planning authorities to innovate, become more efficient and build their expertise particularly on rural and the environment.