§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities in England have introduced fees for pre-planning application consultation; and if he will make a statement. [179915]
§ Keith HillNo central information is available on numbers of local authorities charging for pre-application advice. Councils may make such charges at the present time under their powers to charge for1478W discretionary services in section 98 of the Local Government Act 2003. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently undertaking a review of the scope and level of planning fees and will be publishing a consultation document later in the summer.