Planning Application Cost & Fees 2026 in New Forest
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. Here is what New Forest homeowners should expect to pay.
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.
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
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 |
National guide figures.
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