Planning dept charging for advice.

WeAreGhosts

anyone ever heard of this?
i just tried to ask a council planning department for advice about whether something would need planning permission and they want me to pay.
i can kind of understand why [an employee takes time out of their schedule to answer etc] but presumably this encourages people to go ahead and build without seeking PP.
i think £25 is a bit steep though!

Rodders53

Not heard of it before .... BUT

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/applications/howtoapply/preappadvice says some authorities do charge.

Name and shame / complain to your local councillor(s) and MP ?

Yorkshirelass_2

Our local council charges - think it is something like £50!!

Furts

Rodders53 wrote: »

Not heard of it before .... BUT

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/applications/howtoapply/preappadvice says some authorities do charge.

Name and shame / complain to your local councillor(s) and MP ?

Unfortunately the recession and budget cuts has brought this about. The fee is cheap relative to getting an independent professional to deal with these matters.

The flip side to name and shame, and action from our MPs, is an increase in Council Tax. To most this is more unnacceptable. These people are likely to argue why should those not applying for Planning Permission be paying, or subsidising, those that do apply?

hels234

My parents have just paid the local council £135 for "advice" :eek:

WeAreGhosts

hels234 wrote: »

My parents have just paid the local council £135 for "advice" :eek:

wow. that is terrible.
craven council wouldnt even tell me how long they are taking to make decisions without paying them