Former chief planning officer Deputy John Young has questioned the Planning department’s fee schedule, which, in one case, led to an application costing developers £360,000.
The costs for making an application rise as the size of the proposed development increases. However, although there can be large costs incurred, there is no guarantee that a scheme will be approved.
Deputy Young, who asked for information about Planning fees and performance after growing concerned about the department’s efficiency, said that the potentially huge costs were in excess of what was charged elsewhere.
