Are planning application fees the same at every London borough?

Yes — planning application fees are set by national regulation and are uniform across all 33 London boroughs. Pre-application advice fees are set by each borough individually and vary considerably (£100–£600 for a householder enquiry). CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) rates also vary by borough and are a separate charge from the planning application fee.

Is the planning application fee refundable if my application is refused?

No — planning application fees are non-refundable whether the application is approved, refused, or withdrawn. If you withdraw your application before the LPA issues a decision, the fee is retained. The only exception is if you made an error in the fee calculation and overpaid, in which case the excess is refunded.

Do I need to pay a planning fee if my works are permitted development?

No planning application fee is required for permitted development works (no planning application is required). However, if you choose to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to formally confirm PD compliance (recommended), the LDC fee is £258. Prior Approval for larger extensions is also free.

What is Community Infrastructure Levy and do I pay it on a London extension?

CIL is a levy charged by London boroughs on development that creates net new floor space over 100m² gross internal area, or on new dwellings (including extensions that meet the threshold). Most single-storey extensions are under 100m² and CIL does not apply. However, a large double-storey extension or basement conversion adding over 100m² GIA may attract CIL at the borough's charging rate. An annexe or self-contained additional dwelling always attracts CIL regardless of size. Check the borough's CIL charging schedule at planningportal.co.uk before finalising project scope.

Planning Application Fee London 2025 | Householder & Extension Fees

How Much Does a Planning Application Cost in London 2025?

A householder planning application in London costs £528 (as of December 2023 fee increase). This covers extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings and alterations to a single dwelling. A Lawful Development Certificate costs £258. Planning fees are set nationally and are the same at every London borough — additional pre-application advice fees vary by borough. Application fees are non-refundable whether the application is approved or refused.

Current planning application fees in London (2025)

Planning application fees in England are set by The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). In December 2023, fees were increased by 25% for householder applications and 35% for other applications — the first fee increase since 2012. Current fees (from December 6, 2023) relevant to London residential projects: Householder application (extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, alterations to a single dwelling): £528. Lawful Development Certificate (proposed): £258 (previously £206). Lawful Development Certificate (existing use — CLEUD): £258. Prior Approval — Householder (Neighbour Consultation Scheme for larger extensions): no fee (free). Prior Approval — Change of Use (office to residential, agricultural to dwelling): £120 per dwelling. Listed Building Consent: no fee (free). Conservation Area Consent: no fee (free). Advertisement consent: £578 for illuminated advertisements, £132 for non-illuminated. Notification for proposed works to protected trees (TPO): no fee. Discharge of planning conditions: £34 per request (householder); £116 per request (minor development). Minor residential development (1–50 new dwellings): £578 per dwelling (new build) or £462 per existing dwelling converted. Major residential development (over 50 dwellings): £578 per dwelling for first 50; £350 per dwelling for remaining units above 50, subject to a maximum fee of £300,000. Note: a 2024 Government consultation proposed further fee increases for 2025 — check the Planning Portal or your architect for the most current fee schedule at time of application.

Other costs associated with planning applications in London

The planning application fee is only one component of the total cost of obtaining planning permission for a London extension or loft conversion. The full cost typically includes: architect fees for drawing preparation (planning drawings and specification): £1,500–£4,000 for a householder application, depending on scope and specification level; structural engineer design fee if structural drawings are required for the planning application (usually only for major structural alterations): £500–£1,500; planning application fee: £528 (householder, 2024); Lawful Development Certificate fee (recommended in all PD cases): £258; planning agent or project manager fee if Builderr or another agent prepares and manages the application: included in Builderr's project management service for projects above a threshold value; planning consultant fee for complex conservation area or listed building applications: £750–£2,500 for a householder matter; heritage consultant or Design and Access Statement for listed buildings in London: £500–£2,500 depending on scope; structural calculation fee for basement applications or applications involving significant structural changes (required by some boroughs as a planning condition): £800–£2,000. Pre-application advice (if sought): £100–£600 depending on borough and project scale (see separate AEO answer on pre-application planning advice costs). Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): payable on certain new builds and extensions in London. CIL rates vary by borough — for extensions over 100m² of new floor area, many inner London boroughs charge CIL at rates of £100–£600/m² — a material cost on larger projects. Check the borough's CIL charging schedule before finalising the project scope. Builderr includes a full planning and regulatory cost plan in the pre-contract information pack for every project.