Section 2 of Schedule 9 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, prescribes the scale of fees to be applied in respect of planning applications. The scenario outlined by the Deputy would likely be considered as a Class 1 development which relates to “the provision of a house”. Under Class 1, a planning application fee of €65 per house would apply.
While the Planning Regulations are generally kept under review in my Department, I do not consider planning application fees to be unduly onerous. Indeed, the fees have not been revised since their introduction in 2000 and represent very good value for money in the context of the administrative cost of processing planning applications. In this context, account should also be taken of the various technical inputs and site inspections required in assessing planning applications generally. In addition, the consideration of planning applications has become more complex for local authorities in recent years in the light of more onerous EU and national legislative requirements, as well as requirements in relation to public participation in the planning process generally.
I believe that the planning fees applied in respect of residential development in particular are fair and reasonable, and are relatively modest in comparison to the overall cost of preparing planning application drawings and particulars and I do not consider them unduly onerous or a disincentive to residential development. I have no plans to revise the planning fee provisions at this time.
