Planning Application Cost & Fees 2026
A planning application has two costs: the council fee (set nationally) and the professional fee for preparing the drawings and managing the application. This guide breaks down what each one covers.
Cost breakdown
Council fees
The householder planning application fee is set nationally and revised every year — the Planning Portal lists the current fees. A Certificate of Lawfulness costs roughly half the standard application fee. Pre-application advice fees vary by council. All of these are paid directly to the council and are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
Professional fees
Someone needs to prepare the drawings, write the design and access statement, and manage the application. This can be a traditional architect, an architectural technologist, or a project-specific service like PlanBuild. We price the drawings and application management after a free project review.
| Item | How it is priced |
|---|---|
| Householder planning application fee | Set nationally, revised each year — the Planning Portal lists the current fees |
| Certificate of Lawfulness fee | Roughly half the standard application fee |
| Pre-application advice (council) | Varies by council |
| Professional fees | Quoted after a free project review |
| Total cost | Council fee plus professional fees, depending on who you use |
Prices based on Dorset rates, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Local cost guides
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