Planning fees are increasing across NI applications, including for self-build homes and extensions.
In this article we cover:
- Why planning fees are increasing in NI
- What the new planning application costs are
- When the changes take effect
- How the increases will impact self-builders
- What’s happening with planning fees in ROI
Self-builders in NI using the Planning Portal will face higher costs from April 1, 2025, as service fees increase.
The NI Department of Infrastructure is increasing planning fees by 2.1 per cent for all applications, following a recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee to make the planning system financially sustainable.
It’s also part of a broader effort to improve the planning service and better support development in Northern Ireland.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and how the government’s statutory planning fee increase affects you.
Key changes to NI planning application fees
Self-build homes
- Outline planning application (general approval without specific details yet): increase from £505 to £515
- Reserved matters application (following an outline approval, adding details like design): increase from £505 to £515
- Full planning application (detailed application for a single house): increase £1,014 to £1,035
Extensions & home improvements
- Extensions, alterations or improvements to an existing house: increased from £340 to £347.
- New fences, walls, gates, or outbuildings within a home’s boundary: increase from £340 to £347.
Announcing the inflationary increase in planning fees, Infrastructure Minster Liz Kimmins said: “This increase of 2.1% will be applied across all planning application categories and is necessary to support councils and the Department to cover the processing of the applications.”
“This is in line with the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendation that the planning system needs to be financially sustainable and is part of the plans to improve the planning service to support development across the north.”
“Early work has also commenced between my department and local Councils, to identify the challenges and opportunities to improve the planning service function at local government level in the two-tier planning system.”
ROI Planning Application fees
There is no change to the scale of fees for planning permission scale in ROI. See below:
Standard Applications
Full Planning Permission: €65
Outline Planning Permission: €48.75 (75% of the full fee)
Retention Permission: €195 or €2.50 per sqm, whichever is greater
Extensions, Conversions & Alterations
New Extension, Conversion or Alteration: €34
Retention of Extension, Conversion or Alteration: €102 or €2.50 per sqm, whichever is greater
Other Works
Construction, modification or addition of structures within or around an existing house (for purposes related to its use and enjoyment): €34
Retention of the above works: €102 or €2.50 per sqm, whichever is greater
