Understanding the New Planning Fee Regulations in Northern Ireland

Starting April 1, 2025, if you're planning to submit a planning application in Northern Ireland, expect a minor increase in fees. The Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 have been introduced by the Department for Infrastructure, bringing about a 2.1% rise in fees. Here's a breakdown of what this change entails and why it's happening.

Why the Increase?

The primary purpose of this fee adjustment is straightforward: to help councils and the Department recover the costs associated with processing planning applications. The increase is aligned with inflation rates and ensures that the financial burden of planning processes doesn't fall solely on the government.

No Surprises Here

This isn't a sudden change or a shift in policy. The concept that planning application costs should be covered by the fees charged remains unchanged. Since this is a routine adjustment based on inflation, no public consultation was deemed necessary.

What About Business Impact?

For businesses concerned about the financial implications, it's important to note that most planning applications aren't typically made by businesses. Each application is unique, and the cost incurred is a one-time expense. Therefore, a detailed financial impact analysis wasn't required.

Equality and Compliance Checks

An Equality Impact Assessment was conducted, confirming that no group under the section 75 categories of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 would be disproportionately affected by this fee increase. The legislation also complies with all necessary legal requirements under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Final Thoughts

While fee increases are seldom welcomed, this adjustment is a necessary step to ensure the planning system remains efficient and effective. The changes are minor and reflect the ongoing commitment to align fees with the actual costs of processing applications, ensuring a fair and balanced approach to public service funding in Northern Ireland.