Planning Application Cost & Fees 2026 in New Forest
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 New Forest homeowners should expect to pay.
Local cost range — New Forest
£1,758–£5,500
What affects costs in New Forest
New Forest properties inside the National Park submit to the NFNPA, which has stricter design requirements. This can increase the number of design iterations and therefore professional fees.
Council fee — New Forest District Council
The planning application fee for New Forest is £258, payable to New Forest District Council. This is a fixed national fee and is non-refundable.
Cost estimator
Rates for New Forest
6m × 4m = 24m²
Estimated cost in New Forest
Excl. VAT (£11477 – £17480)
Local insight: New Forest properties — especially those inside the National Park — require premium natural materials to comply with NFNPA design guidelines. Expect 10–20% higher build costs than the Dorset average.
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 New Forest: £1,758–£5,500.
Frequently asked questions
National guide
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Useful links for New Forest homeowners
External resources we recommend. Links open in a new tab.
Local Authority
- New Forest District Council PlanningNFDC planning guidance and application forms
- New Forest National Park Authority PlanningNFNPA planning portal — separate from district council
- NFDC Conservation AreasMaps and appraisals for district conservation areas
- Check long-term flood riskEnvironment Agency service — enter your postcode