Localised Fee Setting

Planning Advisory Service (PAS) is embarking on the start of one of its most significant pieces of work – supporting the government’s plans for the localisation of planning fees and full cost recovery. This web page provides information and links to the work PAS is doing and how local planning authorities can take part and collaborate with us.


Fee Setting & Cost Recovery Masterclasses

The Planning and Infrastructure Act introduces new powers for local planning authorities to set their own planning application fees and achieve full cost recovery on other work including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Doing this right means understanding the rules, how to achieve cost recovery, building robust hourly rates, and forecasting income with confidence. 

PAS is offering on-site masterclasses during late January and through February 2026 to help your team design and test a localised fee and full cost recovery model. In just half a day, we’ll guide you through:

  • Understanding the rules
  • Capturing direct and indirect costs
  • Setting hourly rates
  • Designing time-recording pilots
  • Building indicative fees and income forecasts
  • Governance and sign-off steps 

If your authority is considering moving away from the national fee schedule, or has an NSIP this is your chance to get practical, hands-on support.

Interested? Email [email protected] with “Fee Setting Masterclass” in the subject line, and we’ll be in touch to discuss full details and dates.

Join our Fee Setting Network

We have created a new space for local planning authority officers to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of planning application fee policy and practice. This is a network for those officers interested/involved in:
 
  • Exploring cost recovery and planning service funding
  • Developing localised fee models
  • Sharing insights, tools, and good practice
Whether you're deep into the numbers or just starting to explore this area, this is a space to exchange ideas and experiences with peers, learn from others tackling similar challenges, contribute to tools, templates, and guidance and stay up to date with policy developments and opportunities to get involved.
 
We’ll be using this network to share updates, invite feedback, and support each other in navigating the evolving landscape of planning fees. To join the network please register your interest using this sign-up form