In 40 seconds
Applying for planning permission in England means paying a fixed statutory council fee — £548 for a householder application from 1 April 2026 — plus the Planning Portal service charge, and usually a planning consultant or architect to prepare the application. Consultant help for a straightforward householder application typically runs £500–£2,500, with hourly work often around £40–£100 per hour. The council normally has 8 weeks to decide a householder or minor application and 13 weeks for major development, counted from the day your application is made valid. Many home projects do not need permission at all because they fall under permitted development, and if you are refused you can usually amend and resubmit or appeal. The honest answer is always a range, because it depends on your project, your property and your local authority. This is general information, not legal or planning advice.
Much planning guidance is written by firms selling design or application services, so the fees get blurred and the rules glossed over. The pages below give honest cost ranges, explain when you actually need permission, set out the timescales, and tell you what your options are if you are refused — before you spend anything.