Planning Application Cost & Fees 2026 in Dorchester
A planning application has two costs: the council fee (fixed by government) and the professional fee for preparing the drawings and managing the application. This guide breaks down both. Here is what Dorchester homeowners should expect to pay.
Local cost range — Dorchester
£1,758–£5,258
What affects costs in Dorchester
Dorchester applications go to Dorset Council. Poundbury has its own supplementary design code that must be addressed in the application.
Council fee — Dorset Council
The planning application fee for Dorchester is £258, payable to Dorset Council. This is a fixed national fee and is non-refundable.
Cost estimator
Rates for Dorchester
6m × 4m = 24m²
Estimated cost in Dorchester
Excl. VAT (£9821 – £14720)
Local insight: Dorchester build costs are mid-range for Dorset. Poundbury extensions must follow the Duchy of Cornwall design code, which specifies traditional materials and construction methods.
Cost breakdown
Council fees (2026)
Householder planning application: £258. Certificate of Lawfulness: £129 (half the planning fee). Pre-application advice: varies by council (£50–£250). 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. Options: traditional architect (£2,000–£5,000), architectural technologist (£1,000–£3,000), PlanBuildCo (£2,200 fixed for full planning, £1,500 for Certificate of Lawfulness).
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Householder planning application fee | £258 |
| Certificate of Lawfulness fee | £129 |
| Pre-application advice (council) | £50–£250 |
| Professional fees (PlanBuildCo) | £1,500–£2,200 |
| Professional fees (architect) | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Total (PlanBuildCo route) | £1,629–£2,458 |
| Total (architect route) | £2,258–£5,258 |
National guide figures. Local rates in Dorchester: £1,758–£5,258.
Frequently asked questions
National guide
Ready to get started in Dorchester?
Fixed-price plans for Dorchester homeowners. No obligation, no follow-up calls.
Every plan drawn by qualified drafters in Poole, Dorset
Serving homeowners across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Wimborne, Wareham, and the wider Dorset area.
Useful links for Dorchester homeowners
External resources we recommend. Links open in a new tab.