Rising planning application fees in 2025: how homeowners can save money with Permitted Development
As of 1st April 2025, planning application fees in England have risen significantly, with a substantial impact on homeowners looking to extend their properties.
If you’re considering a home extension, you may have already heard about the increased costs. For example, householder applications for extensions or alterations have increased from £258 to £528 - a staggering 105% rise.
In comparison, the fee for a full planning application to build a new dwellinghouse has only increased in line with inflation, rising to £588.
These fee hikes, when combined with the Planning Portal’s admin charge of £85, push the total cost of a planning application for a simple home extension to £613. For many homeowners, this cost is hard to justify when you’re trying to extend your current home to create more space, whether it’s for a growing family, a home office, or simply a larger living area.
The impact on homeowners looking to extend their homes
At The Practical Planning Company, we specialise in helping homeowners with home extensions and providing expert architectural advice to make the process as smooth and cost-effective as possible. While these fee increases are undoubtedly challenging, they don’t have to stand in the way of your dream home.
For young families, a home extension is often the best solution when moving to a bigger property isn’t an option due to rising house prices or lack of available homes. But now, with planning fees doubling in some cases, it’s becoming harder to justify the cost of extending when there are so many other expenses involved in a property renovation.
We’ve seen an increase in demand for our architectural design services, with many homeowners looking for cost-effective ways to extend their properties without needing to apply for full planning permission. It’s not just about the money - it’s about the additional time and effort it takes to navigate the planning application process. And as the fees increase, it could deter many from considering the option of extending at all.
Permitted Development: an alternative to planning applications
Fortunately, there is an alternative to applying for planning permission, which could save you money and time. Permitted development rights allow you to extend your home without needing to apply for a full planning application, provided the extension meets certain conditions. This option is available for certain types of home extensions, such as rear extensions or loft conversions, and can help you create the space you need without the need for expensive planning fees.
As expert architectural designers, we have helped many homeowners navigate the complexities of permitted development. Our team is highly experienced in this area and can help you determine whether your proposed extension can be carried out under permitted development. This could be a great way to avoid the rising fees for planning applications and still achieve the space you need in your home.
The narrowing gap between extending and building new
What’s even more concerning is that as the cost of planning applications for home extensions increases, the gap between extending your property and building a completely new dwelling seems to be narrowing. With the cost of applying for a simple home extension now close to the cost of applying for a new dwelling application, many homeowners are left questioning whether it makes more sense to build a brand-new property from scratch.
When considering your options, it’s crucial to weigh up the costs and potential outcomes. A home extension might still be the most affordable and practical solution for most homeowners, especially when you factor in the costs of moving house and the emotional toll of relocating. However, with the rising planning fees, more and more homeowners may feel they have no other option but to start fresh and build a new home altogether.
How these fee increases impact homeowners
These rising planning fees are part of a broader issue that is making it increasingly difficult for homeowners to create the space they need within their current properties. We believe that planning applications should be more accessible for homeowners, especially those who need to extend their homes for practical reasons, such as accommodating a growing family or improving their living space.
While we understand the pressures on local councils and planners, we feel that these increases are adding unnecessary strain on homeowners. Many families who could previously extend their homes with relative ease are now facing additional barriers that could force them to abandon their plans altogether. For some, this means choosing between a costly planning process or abandoning their home extension dreams altogether.
We strongly believe that the planning system needs reform to make it easier for homeowners to get the space they need without being burdened by excessive fees.
We’ve also taken action on this issue by writing an open letter calling for planning reform to address the growing barriers homeowners face when trying to extend their homes. We believe that by making the planning process more affordable and accessible, we can help families realise their home extension dreams without the financial burden of rising fees.
Let us help you make the most of your space
If you’re considering a home extension, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of the planning process and provide you with expert architectural advice every step of the way. Our team can help you explore all of your options, from applying for full planning permission to utilising permitted development rights to create the space you need.
We know how important it is for families to stay in the homes they love while creating the space they need to grow. With our expertise in home extensions and architectural design, we’re committed to helping you make the most of your property - without the financial strain of rising planning fees.
Get in touch with The Practical Planning Company
If you’re ready to explore your options for a home extension, or if you have any questions about the planning process, contact our team at The Practical Planning Company. We’re based in Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester, and we specialise in helping homeowners like you create the space you deserve.
Visit our home extensions page to learn more about our fixed fee services, or get in touch directly with our team to discuss your plans. Whether you’re looking for architectural advice or need help with the planning process, we’re here to help!
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