Planning Application Fees in England Are Increasing From 1 April 2026

If you’re considering submitting a planning application in England, there’s an important deadline approaching. From 1 April 2026, planning application fees will increase across most categories.
These changes are based on the latest annual indexation and apply to a wide range of application types, including householder applications, full applications, prior approvals and major developments. If you’re planning a project in 2026, submitting before the end of March could save you money.

Below, we break down what’s changing and what it means for you.

Why Are Fees Increasing?

The increases are linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which for September 2025 stood at 3.8%.

Under current regulations, planning fees are indexed annually, meaning most application types will see an uplift from 1 April 2026.

What’s Changing? Key Fee Increases from April 2026

Here are some of the most common application types and how they are affected:

Householder Applications

Extensions, alterations or improvements to a single dwellinghouse:

• Current fee: £528
• From 1 April 2026: £548

Outbuildings, gates, fences or boundary treatments:

• Current fee: £262
• From 1 April 2026: £272

While the increase may appear modest, costs add up when combined with surveys, design work and other application requirements.

Full Applications – New Homes

For residential developments:

Fewer than 10 dwellings:

• Current: £588 per dwelling
• From April 2026: £610 per dwelling

10–50 dwellings:

• Current: £635 per dwelling
• From April 2026: £659 per dwelling

More than 50 dwellings:

• Maximum fee increasing from £411,885 to £427,537

For larger schemes, this represents a substantial uplift.

Change of Use Applications

Other changes of use of a building or land:

• Current: £588
• From April 2026: £610

Prior Approval Applications

Many prior approval categories are increasing:

• Larger home extensions: £240 → £249
• Additional storeys on a home: £240 → £249
• Agricultural to residential (Class Q): fee increase where building operations are involved

Even permitted development routes are affected.

What This Means for You

If you are planning a home extension, submitting a change of use application, developing new homes, change of use, or preparing a commercial scheme, the upcoming fee increase is directly relevant to you.

Contact Planning By Design today for a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your project and secure your application submission before the 1 April 2026 fee increase takes effect.