JT Planning warns North East businesses could see fees inflate in 2018

Builders and developers in the North East could face inflation-busting planning fees increase in the upcoming weeks.

JT Planning, a specialist planning consultancy, has warned that builders and construction businesses could have to deal with big rises from local authorities on planning applications.

The highest fee an applicant can expect to pay is £250k as of now, but this is expected to rise up to £300k. JT Planning will advise builders and customers to get their planning applications in before this rise commences - set for January 17.

Jon Tweddell, director and owner of Northumberland-based JT Planning, said: “There’s a general shock across the entire industry at how high they are increasing the fees.

“We are encouraging our customers to put their application in before the increase. After the increase, applicants can expect to pay an extra 20 per cent when they apply.”

The changes come from an amendment to government legislation announced mid-December 2017.

JT Planning is expecting this to have a knock-on effect to those looking to apply for planning permission, with local small and medium sized builders and developers set to be hit hardest.

He said: “It is going to be the local builder and residents who are going to be hit hardest. Big housing development companies can realistically afford to pay out these fees, but it is going to be harder for smaller, individual developers to do the same.

“The same goes for homeowners who want to build an extension; it may not seem much but an increase of 20 per cent on a £200 fee is just more added cost on-top of other fees such as architects, surveyors etc.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it. We have not had an increase for a few years, so it feels like the government is trying to play catch up, as well as trying to replace the funding cuts places upon local authorities.”