§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will next increase fees for planning applications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales intend to lay before the House after the summer recess regulations which would increase fees for planning applications by 20 per cent. The regulations would amend the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Planning Applications and Deemed Applications) Regulations 1989. If approved by the House and another place, they could come into effect by mid-November.
As proposed in the consultation paper "Efficient Planning" published last year, the Government also intend that planning application fees should cover 100 per cent. of local authorities' development control costs. My right hon. Friends intend to lay before the House further regulations over the next several years to raise fees progressively in order to achieve 100 per cent. recovery.