How much planning permission costs depends on the type of development, the size of the proposal and the type of planning application you need.
In England, a typical householder planning application costs £548 from 1 April 2026. However, this is only the statutory application fee. The total cost of obtaining planning permission can also include architectural drawings, surveys, specialist reports and professional planning advice.
Understanding these different costs can help you budget properly before starting your project.
How Much Is a Planning Application?
There is no single fee for every planning application. Planning fees are set according to the type and scale of development.
For example, current fees in England include:
| Type of application | Example fee from 1 April 2026 |
| Householder application for a single dwellinghouse | £548 |
| Certain works within the boundary of a dwellinghouse | £272 |
| Permission in Principle | £531 per 0.1 hectare |
| Discharge of conditions for householder development | £89 |
| Discharge of conditions for other development | £309 |
| Non-material amendment for householder development | £46 |
| Non-material amendment for other development | £309 |
Larger residential developments have different fee calculations. For example, a full application for fewer than 10 new dwellinghouses is charged at £610 per dwelling, while developments of 10 to 50 dwellinghouses are charged at £659 per dwelling.
The correct fee therefore depends on your particular proposal rather than simply the value of the property or the cost of the building work.
What Does the £548 Planning Fee Cover?
The £548 fee applies to a typical householder application for the enlargement, improvement or alteration of a single existing dwellinghouse in England.
This could include projects such as:
- House extensions
- Loft conversions requiring planning permission
- Alterations to an existing house
- Certain external changes to a dwelling
The fee is paid when the application is submitted. Paying the wrong fee can result in the application being treated as invalid, so it is important to establish the correct application type before submission.
Not every home improvement project requires a full planning application. Some work may fall under permitted development rights, although restrictions and conditions can apply.
You can learn more about this through our guide to whether you need planning permission.
What Other Costs Should You Budget For?
The planning application fee is not necessarily the total cost of getting planning permission.
Depending on your project, you may also need to pay for:
Architectural drawings
Planning applications usually need appropriate drawings showing the existing property and proposed development. The complexity of the drawings will depend on the project.
Planning Build can support projects requiring architectural design as part of the planning process.
Planning advice or consultancy
Professional planning advice can help you understand whether your proposal is likely to require permission, which application route may be appropriate and what planning considerations need to be addressed.
For more complex projects, early feasibility advice and planning strategy can help identify potential issues before an application is prepared.
Surveys and specialist reports
Some developments require additional technical information. Depending on the site and proposal, this could include:
- Ecology surveys
- Tree surveys
- Flood risk assessments
- Heritage assessments
- Transport or highways information
- Drainage information
- Other specialist reports
Not every project will require these, so the cost can vary considerably.
Pre-application advice
You may also choose to seek advice from the local planning authority before submitting an application. Pre-application services can have separate charges, depending on the authority and type of proposal.
This can be particularly relevant where the development is complex or there are planning issues that need to be considered before submission.
How Much Does Planning Permission Cost for a House Extension?
For a typical house extension in England that requires a householder planning application, the statutory planning application fee is currently £548.
However, the overall project cost can be higher once drawings, planning support and any required surveys or reports are included.
Some extensions may qualify for permitted development instead of requiring a planning application. This depends on factors such as the size and design of the extension, the property and its location.
If you are unsure which route applies to your extension, professional planning permission advice can help you establish the requirements before you proceed.
How Much Does Planning Permission Cost for a New Build?
New-build developments are subject to different planning fees.
For a full application to erect new dwellinghouses in England, the fee from 1 April 2026 is:
- Fewer than 10 dwellings: £610 per dwelling
- 10 to 50 dwellings: £659 per dwelling
- More than 50 dwellings: £32,578 plus £196 for each dwelling over 50, subject to a maximum fee of £427,537.
For larger developments, the statutory planning fee can therefore be considerably higher than the fee for a householder application.
Other costs, such as architectural work, surveys and specialist reports, also need to be considered when calculating the overall planning budget.
Does Planning Permission Cost More for Larger Projects?
It can.
Planning application fees are structured differently depending on the development category. Larger residential schemes may be charged according to the number of dwellings, while some applications are calculated according to site area or another method.
For this reason, two projects in different locations can have very different planning costs even if they appear similar at first.
The complexity of the site can also affect the professional costs associated with preparing the application.
Are Planning Permission Fees the Same Across the UK?
No.
The figures above apply to England. Wales has a separate fee structure, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own planning systems and charges.
If your project is outside England, you should check the requirements and current fees that apply in the relevant jurisdiction.
Do Planning Permission Fees Increase?
Yes. Planning fees in England are subject to annual indexation, with changes generally taking effect on 1 April each year. The current system links annual increases to inflation, subject to the applicable rules and limits.
There are also changes being developed to the way planning fees can be set. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 introduced powers allowing local planning authorities to vary fees from national defaults under a local fee-setting model. The government published its consultation outcome on these changes in July 2026.
This makes it important to check the current fee rather than relying on older planning information.
Can You Get Planning Permission Without Paying a Planning Fee?
Some applications may qualify for exemptions or reductions depending on the circumstances.
For example, certain applications relating to facilities or works for disabled people can qualify for fee exemptions or concessions. Other specific circumstances may also affect the fee.
Because exemptions depend on the application and circumstances, it is worth checking the current fee guidance before submitting.
The Planning Portal fee calculator can help you identify the applicable fee for many applications.
Is Planning Permission Worth the Cost?
The cost needs to be considered alongside the proposed development and the potential value or purpose of the project.
A planning application does not guarantee permission, so preparing a proposal carefully is important. Understanding the planning requirements before spending money on drawings and other supporting information can help you avoid unnecessary costs.
For more involved projects, early planning advice can help you understand the available options before committing to a full application.
How to Estimate Your Planning Permission Costs
Before starting your project, consider:
- Whether planning permission is required.
- Which type of planning application you need.
- The statutory application fee.
- Whether architectural drawings are required.
- Whether surveys or specialist reports are likely to be needed.
- Whether professional planning advice would be useful.
- Whether the local authority charges for pre-application advice.
This gives you a more realistic picture of the total cost than looking at the application fee alone.
Get Help With Your Planning Application
The cost of planning permission depends on the development you are proposing and the planning route available to you.
Planning Build can help you understand your planning requirements, assess your development options and prepare your application.
If you are planning an extension, new development, change of use or another project and want to understand the likely planning costs, contact Planning Build to discuss your proposal.
