The government has relaunched a consultation on planning fees, suggesting that councils be allowed to raise an extra £68m next year.

That’s more than double the 17%, or £30m, raise proposed in a previous consultation that ended just a week ago (HT 10 December, page 10).

Housing minister Keith Hill said: “It became clear from the consultation already in progress that many respondents don’t think the proposed increases were sufficient. And developers have indicated that they’d be prepared to see increases where they could be assured of quality service.

“I want to give authorities the resources to provide the services the community needs, so the total average rise would be 39%, not 17% as consulted upon before.”

The LGA, which called for a bigger rise than the £30m in the first consultation, welcomed the higher figure in the second paper.

Source

Housing Today