Infrastructure Minister has today launched a public
consultation to introduce planning fees for non-material change
and discharge of conditions planning applications.
The consultation sets out proposals to:
- introduce a single fee of £115 for non-material changes.
- introduce a single fee of £115 for discharge of condition.
Launching the consultation Minister Kimmins
said: “Non -material change applications and
discharge of conditions applications can be complex and time
consuming yet currently these elements of the planning service
are being delivered without a fee and introducing a fee
would recognise the significant resource required.
"This proposal aims to promote best practice and improve
the overall efficiency and quality of the planning
process.
“As the Department and local government continue to
collaborate on the planning improvement programme this
consultation will also invite feedback on a broader range of
planning fee-related issues to help inform a review of the
longer-term financial sustainability of the system.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the
planning process to respond to the consultation.”
The public consultation is open from 1 October until 23 December
2026 is available at – www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-review-planning-fees.
An easy ready version is also available.
Notes to editors:
- In the 2022 Review of the Implementation of the Planning Act
(NI) 2011 (RIPA) report, the Department considered there is merit
in reviewing planning fee categories and the fees themselves to
establish if they remain fit for purpose and cover the costs of
processing applications in line with the requirements of Managing
Public Money (NI). Part of this review is to consider the
introduction of new fee categories for applications for
non-material changes and discharge of conditions.
- In the published official Northern Ireland planning
statistics April 2023 – March 2024 there have been 451
non-material change applications made to councils and 1098
discharge of conditions applications with 37 of these made to the
Department.
