Changes to Planning Fees from 9th December 2005

The above named regulations came into operation on 9 December 2005.

The regulations amend the Planning (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 S.R. No. 222 ('the 2005 Regulations') to correct a number of errors, including the fee for the winning and working of peat.

The 2005 Regulations currently state at 'Part 2, Scales of Fees' that the fee for the winning and working of peat is £150 for each 5 hectares, subject to a maximum of £27,000. However, the previous fee was £965 for each 5 hectares subject to a maximum of £24,125 and due to a drafting error the wrong fee was inserted in the 2005 Regulations.

The correct fee should be £1,500 for each 5 hectares with a ceiling of £27,000 and this has now been given effect through the amendment regulations.

The new statutory rule also introduces ceilings on the fees for a material change of use to remove the inconsistency between this category of development and the fees in categories 2 and 4 which have such a ceiling.

Copies of the Statutory Rule will also be available from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4PS in the near future.

Further information can be obtained from any Divisional Planning Office