After the NFU sought answers on why such a rise was occurring, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government confirmed that a lower of fee of £624 was only supposed to cover an initial 540sqm, with every additional 75sqm adding an additional £624 to the application fee.
Planning fees will also be rising annually according to a new index, which will see all other fees rise by 1.7% in 2025. The percentage increase is calculated from the Consumer Price Index 12-month rate.
The full list of changes relevant to agriculture are listed below.
Price differences before and after 1 April 2025
Agricultural buildings
Size | Fee pre 1 April 2025 | Fee post 1 April 2025 | Price difference |
Below 465 square metres | £120 | £122 | £2 |
More than 465 but not more than 540 square metres | £578 | £588 | £10 |
More than 540 but less than 1,000 square metres | £578 for each additional 75 square metres | £588 for each additional 75 square metres | £10 |
Between 1,000 and 4,215 square metres* *Planning fee to be inflated after previous error. |
£624 for the first 1,000 square metres | £5,077 for first 1,000 square metres + £635 for each additional 75 square metres | £4,453 |
More than 4,215 square metres | £30,860 + £186 for each additional 75 square metres | £31,385 + £189 for each additional 75 square metres | £525 + £3 for each additional 75 square metres |
Erection of glasshouses (on land used for agricultural purposes)
Size | Fee pre 1 April 2025 | Fee post 1 April 2025 | Price difference |
No more than 465 square metres | £120 | £122 | £2 |
More than 465 but less than 1,000 square metres | £3,225 | £3,280 | £55 |
1,000 square metres or more | £3,483 | £3,542 | £59 |
Erection/alterations/replacement of plant and machinery
Size | Fee pre 1 April 2025 | Fee post 1 April 2025 | Price difference |
Site area less than 1 hectare | £578 for each 0.1 hectare | £588 for each 0.1 hectare | £10 |
Between 1 hectare and 5 hectares | £624 for each 0.1 hectare | £635 for each 0.1 hectare | £11 |
More than 5 hectares | £30,860 + £186 for each additional 0.1 hectare | £31,385 + £189 for each additional 0.1 hectare | £525 + £3 for each additional 0.1 hectare |
A full list of fees for after 1 April 2025 can be found at: planningportal.co.uk | Forthcoming fees for planning applications in England.