FINE Gael has called for the abolition of controversial planning 'objection fees' after it was revealed that only €3m was raised in a period of four years.
The charges – applied to anyone who files objections or submissions on proposed developments – have been criticised as a barrier to people's involvement in the planning process.
Fine Gael spokesman on the environment Phil Hogan said that the total revenue raised from the fees, which amounts to less than €1m a year, was "miniscule" in the overall scale of local government finances.
Opposition to their introduction went as far as the European Court of Justice in 2006 although it was later ruled that the government could maintain them.
But now, as a result of figures obtained by Fine Gael, the value of the controversial levies has again come under scrutiny. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, anyone wishing to lodge a submission or objection to a planning application must pay an initial fee of €20 to the local authority.
Costs then range from €50 to €210 for third-party submissions to An Bord Pleanála.
However, figures show that from 2004 to 2007 just €3,047,943 was collected by local authorities.
"The planning fees are miniscule in the overall scale of the finances of local government," said Hogan. "It costs as much to administer the charge as the amount they collect. This figure is so small it indicates that this charge should be terminated."
The amount collected from the contentious fees rose from €597,779 in 2004 to €897,398 in 2007. It is unclear what effect the downturn will have on that revenue given that the building industry has taken a severe hit.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label planning fees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning fees. Show all posts
Monday, 20 April 2009
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Revisions to planning fees
THE DEPARTMENT of the Environment has launched a public consultation on proposed revisions to planning fees under the Planning and Development Act 2000. Participants are invited to comment on the fee structure, the service improvements proposed, and to suggest alternatives to those in the consultation document. The consultation paper is available at www.environ.ie, 01 8882895/2821, or e-mail planning@environ.ie
Irish Times
www.buckplannning.ie
Irish Times
www.buckplannning.ie
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Planning fees set to soar next year
FEES for planning applications are set to soar next year as cash-strapped councils look to recover a massive shortfall in administration costs.
A government survey has revealed fees would have to increase by 750% if the country’s 88 planning authorities are to recoup the spiralling cost of the service.
However, the Department of the Environment was yesterday adamant it will not pass the full expense onto tens of thousands of people making applications each year.
It also launched a three-week consultation process on fixing new charges.
The department’s consultation paper included a survey which showed a significant gap between the €65 charge for new house applications and the €489 worth of work directly involved in processing them.
When indirect services are considered, the survey set the average cost per planning application at €734.
The paper said while the imbalance was not sustainable it would be unreasonable to dramatically increase charges in one go.
“The widening gap between the cost of providing the planning service and revenue received in application fees needs to be addressed.
“It is recognised, though, to address the gap fully would require very significant increases, up to 750% in some cases, which could have major consequences for customers of the planning system,” it said.
The consultation process is open until May 5 and with cabinet approval the department said it will introduce new charges from January 1, 2009.
The paper said the new fees could not heap all the costs onto customers because the service is “not a perfectly efficient one”.
The survey looked at figures from 2006, when 92,651 applications for planning were received.
While these involved every type of request to change the use or substance of property, 94% fell into the categories covering new houses, home extensions, agricultural buildings or commercial units.
It was conducted last year and has prompted the department to suggest a number of other reforms.
These include:
Fees for large-scale developments be reduced as much work is duplicated for each house in the plan.
Those who apply for retention of work done without planning permission be hit with a five-fold price increase as a punishment.
Flat rate charges for large scale buildings such as shopping centres or schools should be increased.
A separate price be applied for environmentally friendly developments to encourage the use of renewable energy.
Regulations be changed in 2008 to remove any barriers to a cheaper internet-based service.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
A government survey has revealed fees would have to increase by 750% if the country’s 88 planning authorities are to recoup the spiralling cost of the service.
However, the Department of the Environment was yesterday adamant it will not pass the full expense onto tens of thousands of people making applications each year.
It also launched a three-week consultation process on fixing new charges.
The department’s consultation paper included a survey which showed a significant gap between the €65 charge for new house applications and the €489 worth of work directly involved in processing them.
When indirect services are considered, the survey set the average cost per planning application at €734.
The paper said while the imbalance was not sustainable it would be unreasonable to dramatically increase charges in one go.
“The widening gap between the cost of providing the planning service and revenue received in application fees needs to be addressed.
“It is recognised, though, to address the gap fully would require very significant increases, up to 750% in some cases, which could have major consequences for customers of the planning system,” it said.
The consultation process is open until May 5 and with cabinet approval the department said it will introduce new charges from January 1, 2009.
The paper said the new fees could not heap all the costs onto customers because the service is “not a perfectly efficient one”.
The survey looked at figures from 2006, when 92,651 applications for planning were received.
While these involved every type of request to change the use or substance of property, 94% fell into the categories covering new houses, home extensions, agricultural buildings or commercial units.
It was conducted last year and has prompted the department to suggest a number of other reforms.
These include:
Fees for large-scale developments be reduced as much work is duplicated for each house in the plan.
Those who apply for retention of work done without planning permission be hit with a five-fold price increase as a punishment.
Flat rate charges for large scale buildings such as shopping centres or schools should be increased.
A separate price be applied for environmentally friendly developments to encourage the use of renewable energy.
Regulations be changed in 2008 to remove any barriers to a cheaper internet-based service.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
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