Council brings in planning advice fees

FEES from £60 to £800 have been introduced by Rotherham Borough Council for planning advice.

Pre-application meetings were previously free, except for large developments.

Now enquiring if planning permission is needed at all will cost £60, while initial meetings for proposals involving more than 200 homes will cost £800.

An RMBC spokesman said: “Pre-application advice is encouraged by Government, as an essential part of the planning process.

“It offers clear, impartial and professional advice before the submission of a planning application. “Advice can be given on a whole range of proposals from house extensions to major residential and commercial developments.

“The charging for officer time on all pre-application advice was highlighted as an opportunity to cover the costs for providing this element of the service.”