Planning Application Fees & Bylaws in London
In London, England, planning application fees and the application process are administered by local planning authorities working under national planning law; applicants must follow local validation requirements and pay fees set by central government. This guide explains who charges fees, where to find official fee tables, how applications are validated and processed, how enforcement works, and where to apply, pay, appeal or report breaches in London.
How fees are set and charged
Planning application fees are prescribed by national regulations and collected by the local planning authority handling the application. Local authorities publish validation checklists and may advise on supporting documents; exact fee amounts and fee categories are listed on the government fees guidance page (see official fee tables)[1]. Fees vary by application type and may be different for householder, full, outline, listed building consent and other application types.
Typical local process
- Prepare application using the local validation checklist and the Planning Portal where applicable.
- Pay the applicable fee at submission as prescribed on the national fee table.
- Local planning authority checks validation and requests any missing information or payments.
- Determination periods follow statutory timescales unless agreed otherwise with the case officer.
Penalties & Enforcement
Planning enforcement in London is carried out by the local planning authority using powers under national planning law, including enforcement notices, stop notices, breach of condition notices and the option to prosecute or seek injunctions in court. The controlling statute is the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and related regulations (statute and provisions)[2]. Specific monetary fine amounts are not provided on the cited statutory contents page and must be checked on the relevant provisions or sentencing guidance; therefore fine figures are not specified on the cited page.
- Primary enforcement tools: enforcement notice, stop notice, breach of condition notice, planning contravention notice.
- Escalation: notices, injunctions and prosecution where compliance is not achieved; exact escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
- Enforcer: the local planning authority (development management / enforcement team) carries out inspections, issues notices and pursues legal action.
- Inspection and complaint: report suspected breaches to the local authority planning enforcement contact listed in Resources below.
- Appeals and review: recipients of enforcement notices normally have a right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate; time limits and routes are set out with each notice or on official appeal guidance.
- Defences and discretion: common defences include having planning permission, material change not amounting to development, or reasonable excuse; local authorities may grant retrospective permission or accept remediation plans.
Applications & Forms
Applications are submitted via the Planning Portal or directly to the local planning authority where permitted; the official fee schedule on the government guidance page indicates the fee for each application type. Local authorities publish validation checklists and guidance for forms and supporting documents; where a specific form number or local document is required it is shown on the authority website or the Planning Portal. If no local form is published, use the nationally recognised application routes.
Action steps for applicants
- Check the national fee table and local validation checklist before preparing documents.
- Calculate and pay the correct fee at submission to avoid invalidation or delay.
- Keep records of payment, receipt numbers and validated documents for appeals or enforcement responses.
- Contact the local planning case officer for pre-application advice or to discuss potential planning contributions.
FAQ
- How do I find the correct fee for my planning application?
- Refer to the official government fee guidance and your local authority validation checklist to identify the correct fee and category before submission.[1]
- Can I submit an application without paying the fee?
- No, the application will normally be invalid without payment or a completed fee exemption claim, and the authority will not validate the application until fees are resolved.
- What happens if the council says I am in breach of planning control?
- The council may investigate and issue a notice requiring action or remediation; you will be given information about appeals and timescales with the notice.[2]
How-To
- Prepare the application documents using the local validation checklist and guidance on the Planning Portal.
- Consult pre-application advice if your proposal is complex or likely to require contributions.
- Submit the application online via the Planning Portal or the local authority portal and pay the prescribed fee.
- Respond promptly to validation queries and requests for further information from the case officer.
- If an enforcement notice is served, consider compliance, negotiate remediation, or lodge a formal appeal within the timescale stated on the notice.
Key Takeaways
- Fees are set nationally and applied by local planning authorities; check the official fee table before applying.
- Use the local validation checklist and the Planning Portal to avoid invalid submissions.
- Enforcement uses statutory notices; respond quickly and seek advice on appeals and compliance.
Help and Support / Resources
- Government - Fees for planning applications
- Planning Portal - applications and forms
- City of London - planning and development contacts
- Planning Inspectorate - appeals