Scotland Revamps Planning Fees: A Necessary Adjustment for Inflation

In a move aimed at bolstering local planning departments, the Scottish Government has announced an increase in planning application fees, effective 2025. This change, stipulated by the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/125), is a response to inflation pressures and seeks to alleviate financial strains on local authorities.

Why the Change?

Local councils across Scotland are grappling with budget cuts and staffing challenges, particularly within planning departments. While local authorities manage their overall resources, the new fee structure ensures that those applying for planning permissions contribute more substantially to the cost of processing their applications, rather than relying on taxpayer funds.

This update is part of a broader strategy to enhance the planning system's capabilities, as outlined in a 2024 government blog following the "Investing in Planning Consultation". This initiative, which gathered feedback between February and May 2024, highlighted strong support for an annual inflation-based fee increase and the creation of a Planning Hub.

Impact on Businesses and Applicants

The new fee structure will align with the 2024 Consumer Price Index, marking a 3.3% fee increase. While this adjustment means higher costs for planning applicants, it's expected to benefit both authorities and applicants in the long run by improving the efficiency and performance of planning services.

Consultation and Compatibility

The planning fee increase follows extensive consultation with stakeholders, who generally supported the move. The adjustment aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, ensuring children's rights are considered.

What’s Next?

As these changes roll out, applicants can expect a streamlined planning process with enhanced resources and skills within local planning authorities. For detailed insights and a list of consulted parties, the consultation report is available on the Scottish Government's website.

This adjustment is a strategic step towards a more resilient and efficient planning system in Scotland, ensuring both the sustainability of local councils and the satisfaction of planning applicants.