Planning Portal Fee Calculator: Fees, Costs and Mistakes to Avoid
Use this guide to understand the Planning Portal fee calculator, the difference between England and Wales fees, the online service charge, application fee categories, exemptions, reductions, refunds and common validation delays.
If you searched for “Planning Portal fee calculator 2025” or “Planning Portal fee calculator April 2025,” use the current fee year instead: England’s current Planning Portal fee guide applies from 1 April 2026, while Wales uses a separate fee guide from 1 December 2025 onwards.
Quick answer: the Planning Portal fee calculator estimates the statutory planning application fee based on your country, application type, site area, number of dwellings, floorspace, operation type, reductions and exemptions. It is useful before applying, but the relevant local planning authority confirms whether the fee is correct when validating the application.
For England, use the Planning Portal England calculator and current England fee PDF. For Wales, use Planning Portal Wales and the Welsh fee schedule. Do not rely on old April 2025 screenshots, because fees can change by country and fee year.
Planning Portal Fee Calculator UK: Choose England or Wales First
The phrase “Planning Portal fee calculator UK” is slightly misleading because England and Wales use different calculators and different fee schedules. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different planning systems and are not calculated through the same Planning Portal application-fee route.
| Your site is in | Use this calculator | Current fee guide to check | Important user action |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Planning Portal England fee calculator | Planning Portal application fees England, currently from 1 April 2026. | Use the England calculator, then let the local planning authority confirm at validation. |
| Wales | Planning Portal Wales fee calculator | Planning Portal application fees Wales, currently from 1 December 2025 onwards. | Use the Wales calculator, not the England one, even if the application type looks similar. |
| Scotland | Scottish ePlanning or local authority route | Scottish planning fee regulations and local guidance. | Do not use the England/Wales Planning Portal fee calculator for Scottish applications. |
| Northern Ireland | Local council or Northern Ireland planning route | Northern Ireland planning-fee rules. | Use the relevant NI planning authority route, not the England/Wales calculator. |
How to Use the Planning Portal Application Fee Calculator
The calculator works best when you already know the application type and have basic measurements ready. Do not guess the category if the proposal includes several elements.
Select the correct country
Choose England or Wales based on the site location. The same home extension can have a different statutory fee depending on country.
Choose the application form type
Pick householder, full planning permission, outline, reserved matters, prior approval, lawful development certificate, condition discharge, variation/removal of condition, non-material amendment or advertisement consent as appropriate.
Enter the development details
Depending on the application type, the calculator may need site area, number of dwellings, gross floorspace, use class, operation type, condition type or whether it is major/householder development.
Apply only genuine exemptions or reductions
Claim disability-access exemptions, council/parish/community council reductions, alternative-proposal reductions or other concessions only when the rules genuinely apply and your local authority can validate them.
Save the output before submission
Keep a screenshot or PDF of the calculated fee, service charge, payment confirmation and Planning Portal reference. This helps if the LPA later queries the amount.
Planning Portal Fee Calculator 2025 vs Current Fees
Many users still search for “planning portal fee calculator 2025” or “planning portal fee calculator April 2025.” That search intent is valid, but the answer must now explain what changed and which schedule currently applies.
England changed from 1 April 2025
England introduced annual inflation-linked planning fee increases starting on 1 April 2025. Fees can change again on later 1 April dates, so use the current schedule before paying.
England current guide is 2026
The current Planning Portal England fee PDF is labelled as applying from 1 April 2026. This is why older April 2025 blog posts or saved calculators may be out of date.
Wales changed separately
Wales has a separate fee guide and calculator. The current Planning Portal Wales fee guide applies from 1 December 2025 onwards.
Common Planning Application Fees People Check First
These are common fee examples from current Planning Portal fee schedules. They help you sanity-check the calculator, but the calculator and local planning authority must still confirm your exact case.
| Application type | England current guide | Wales current guide | Watch for this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Householder enlargement, improvement or alteration of one existing dwellinghouse, excluding flats | £548 | £585 | Flats are not treated the same as householder dwellinghouse applications. |
| Operations within the boundary of an existing dwellinghouse, or gates/fences/walls/enclosure, excluding flats | £272 | £283 | Do not use this where a full application category is triggered. |
| Other change of use of a building or land | £610 | £667 | Residential conversions and mixed changes may use different calculations. |
| Lawful Development Certificate: existing use or operation | Same as full application fee | Same as full application fee | Existing and proposed certificates are not always charged the same way. |
| Lawful Development Certificate: proposed use or operation | Half the full application fee | Half the full application fee | Use the fee that would apply to the equivalent full permission route. |
| Non-material amendment after planning permission | Householder £46; other case £309 | Household change £123; other case £242 | Use country-specific wording and fee rules. |
| Discharge of planning condition | Householder £89; other development £309 | Household-type £123; other development £242 | BNG gain plan conditions can fall into condition-discharge style fees. |
England Fee Guide Audit: What the Current PDF Means
The current England PDF is labelled “Planning Portal – Application Fees England – 1 April 2026 – V2026.” It is based on the English fee regulations as amended and MHCLG annual indexation information for 2026.
Householder applications
The England guide lists £548 for enlargement, improvement or alteration of an existing single dwellinghouse, excluding flats. It lists £272 for certain operations within the boundary of an existing dwellinghouse or gates/fences/walls/enclosures, excluding flats.
Full applications
Full permission can be calculated by dwellings, gross floorspace, site area, operation type, change of use or other category. The correct basis depends on the proposal, not the applicant’s preferred label.
Lawful Development Certificates
For existing use or operation, the fee is the same as the full application fee. For proposed use or operation, it is half the full application fee.
Conditions and amendments
The England guide lists separate fees for removal/variation of conditions, discharge of conditions and non-material amendments. These are not the same as a new full application fee.
Planning Portal Fee Calculator Wales: What Changes
Planning Portal Wales has a separate fee calculator and separate fee guide. Do not apply the England fee table to Welsh applications.
Wales householder examples
The Wales guide lists £585 for enlargement, improvement or alteration of an existing single dwellinghouse, excluding flats. It lists £283 for certain ancillary operations or boundary enclosures within an existing dwellinghouse curtilage, excluding flats.
Thresholds can differ
Welsh residential, outline, full and change-of-use thresholds can differ from England. For example, Welsh dwelling thresholds in the current guide use Wales-specific dwelling-number and hectare bands.
Wales online service charge
Planning Portal Wales applies an online payment/service process. The calculator and checkout page should be checked for the final statutory fee and any applicable service charge at the time of submission.
LPA still checks the fee
As in England, the local planning authority checks the fee when validating the application. Contact the Welsh LPA first if the project is mixed, unusual or concession-sensitive.
Planning Portal Service Charge, Payment and Nominated Payer
The statutory planning application fee and the Planning Portal service charge are different items. Many users misread the calculator because they add only the application fee and forget the service charge.
| Cost item | What it means | Practical user step |
|---|---|---|
| Planning application fee | The nationally set statutory fee for the application type and development scale. | Use the correct England or Wales calculator and keep the output. |
| Planning Portal service charge | A separate charge for processing payments through the Planning Portal online application system where it applies. | Check checkout total before paying; do not compare only statutory fees. |
| Credit/debit card and digital wallet | Usually quickest for payments up to the Planning Portal transaction limit shown during payment. | Use card/digital wallet where deadline timing is tight and the amount is within limits. |
| Bank transfer or cheque | Can be used for larger or nominated payments, but clearance timing can matter. | Do not leave payment until a fee-change deadline. |
| Nominated payer | Someone else can be nominated to pay the application fee. | Warn the payer about deadline and fee-change dates; unpaid applications can miss the old fee. |
Site Area, Floorspace and Dwelling Numbers: Fee Calculator Inputs
The planning permission fee calculator is only as good as the measurements you enter. For many applications, the fee depends on site area, floorspace or number of dwellings.
Site area
For many applications, the site area is the land edged red on the application plan. If you draw the red line too wide or too narrow, the fee and validation assessment can be wrong.
Floorspace
Floorspace is usually gross floorspace created by the development. It may include basements, garages and wall thickness, depending on the category and LPA interpretation.
Dwelling numbers
Residential fees can depend on the number of new dwellinghouses or flats. For change of use, the calculator may ask for the additional number created.
Planning Fee Exemptions, Reductions and Concessions
Exemptions and reductions are useful, but they are not automatic. The local planning authority checks whether the claim is valid.
| Fee rule | Common example | What to attach or check |
|---|---|---|
| No fee application types | Listed building consent, conservation area demolition consent in some cases, TPO tree works or certain hedgerow notices. | Check country-specific fee schedule because wording and application type matter. |
| Disabled access exemption | Works solely to improve access, safety, health or comfort for a disabled person. | Attach a clear statement explaining how the proposal qualifies. |
| Parish, town or community council reduction | Council-sponsored applications may qualify for reduced fees depending on country and category. | Check whether the applicant and application type qualify. |
| Alternative proposal reduction | Same site, same applicant, submitted at the same time, with one main proposal and alternatives. | Make sure the alternatives are genuine and submitted correctly. |
| Cross-boundary applications | Land crosses more than one local planning authority boundary. | England and Wales handle this differently; ask the LPAs before submission. |
| Free-go / revised applications | Rules can differ by country and application type. | Do not assume a refused or withdrawn application can be resubmitted free. |
What Happens if the Planning Application Fee Is Wrong?
An incorrect planning fee can delay validation. The local planning authority cannot normally start processing an application as valid until the correct fee is paid.
The calculator gives an estimated payable amount
The Planning Portal calculator uses the details you enter. If the application type, measurements or exemptions are wrong, the calculator result can also be wrong.
The LPA checks the fee at validation
After submission, the local planning authority checks whether the fee matches the application. It may request more money, confirm a refund, or mark the application invalid until corrected.
A mixed proposal can be hard to calculate
If a proposal includes dwellings, commercial floorspace, access works, change of use and engineering works, do not guess. Ask the LPA or a planning professional before paying.
Keep payment evidence
Save the application reference, fee-calculator result, transaction receipt, nominated-payer email and any LPA message confirming the amount due.
Refunds, Withdrawals and Non-Determination
Users often assume a planning fee is refundable if they withdraw or the council takes too long. The rules are narrower than that.
| Situation | What usually happens | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Application is invalid and returned | The fee may be returned, but local/admin handling can vary and councils may have their own invalidation admin procedures. | Check your council validation and refund rules. |
| Valid application is withdrawn | The Planning Portal says where a valid application is withdrawn before determination, the application fee will not be refundable. | Do not submit until drawings and reports are ready. |
| Local authority does not determine in time | The applicant may have an appeal route for non-determination, but this is not a simple automatic refund route. | Check appeal and refund rules for your country and application type. |
| Wrong fee overpaid | The LPA may confirm adjustment or refund process after validation. | Keep receipts and ask the LPA or Planning Portal support depending on payment stage. |
| Nominated payer missed deadline | The application may be submitted under the new fee if payment clears after a fee-change deadline. | Pay early when fee changes are imminent. |
Planning Permission Fee Calculator vs Building Control Fees
Planning permission and building control are separate. The Planning Portal planning application fee calculator does not automatically tell you the full building control cost for structural or compliance work.
Planning application fee
This pays for the local planning authority to process a planning application. It covers planning issues such as use, design, scale, amenity, highways, heritage and policy.
Building control fee
This covers technical building regulations compliance. The fee is normally set by the local authority building control body or agreed with a registered building control approver.
Before You Pay: Planning Fee Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting through the Planning Portal application fee calculator or Planning Portal Wales calculator.
Calculator inputs
- Correct country: England or Wales.
- Correct application type.
- Correct red-line site area.
- Correct floorspace calculation.
- Correct number of dwellings or additional dwellings.
- Correct condition, amendment or certificate route.
- Correct exemption or reduction evidence.
Payment and validation evidence
- Planning Portal application reference saved.
- Fee calculator result saved.
- Service charge understood.
- Payment receipt saved.
- Nominated payer warned about deadlines.
- LPA contacted if the proposal is unusual.
- Validation checklist reviewed before submission.
Related UKPlanningPortal Guides for Fee and Application Context
These internal links help users understand how national Planning Portal fees interact with local validation, local council portals and planning-register workflows.
Official Planning Portal Fee Calculator Links
Open the calculator only after you know the country, application type and measurements. If the proposal is mixed or unusual, contact the local planning authority before paying.
Independent guide note: this page helps users understand fee routes and common mistakes. Always verify live fees, service charges, calculator output, payment deadlines and validation requirements on official Planning Portal, GOV.UK, GOV.WALES or local planning authority pages before paying.
Planning Portal Fee Calculator FAQs
Where is the Planning Portal fee calculator?
The England calculator is on the Planning Portal fee calculator page. Wales has a separate Planning Portal Wales fee calculator. Use the calculator for the country where the application site is located.
Is there one Planning Portal fee calculator for the whole UK?
No. England and Wales have separate Planning Portal calculators and fee schedules. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different planning systems and fee rules.
Is the Planning Portal fee calculator the same as GOV.UK?
No. GOV.UK explains England planning-fee rules, but the practical online calculator is provided by Planning Portal for England. Wales uses Planning Portal Wales and Welsh Government fee guidance.
What is the current householder planning application fee in England?
The current Planning Portal England fee guide from 1 April 2026 lists £548 for enlargement, improvement or alteration of an existing single dwellinghouse, excluding flats.
What is the current householder planning application fee in Wales?
The current Planning Portal Wales fee guide from 1 December 2025 lists £585 for enlargement, improvement or alteration of an existing single dwellinghouse, excluding flats.
Does the Planning Portal service charge include VAT?
The Planning Portal states the service charge as £75.83 plus VAT where it applies. This is separate from the statutory planning application fee.
Who confirms the final planning application fee?
The local planning authority checks the fee during validation and confirms whether the fee is correct. Contact the LPA before submission if the application is unusual or mixed.
Why is my planning application fee wrong?
Common reasons include wrong country, wrong application type, incorrect floorspace or site area, wrong dwelling number, incorrect exemption claim, mixed development or using an outdated 2025 fee value.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw a planning application?
Planning Portal guidance says that where a valid application is submitted and then withdrawn before determination, the application fee will not be refundable. Check local and country-specific rules for your case.
Does building control use the same fee calculator?
No. Planning application fees and building control fees are separate. Building control fees are set or agreed through the local authority building control body or registered building control approver route.