Planning application fees to rise by 17%

The cost of putting in a planning or building control application will rise by 17% from 30 June.

In an email sent to agents, the Director of Planning for the States of Guernsey, Jim Rowles said the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) agreed to the increase in response to "inflation and to truly reflect the cost of the service being provided".

According to latest data, inflation in Guernsey currently sits at 4.2%.

Mr Rowles added in the email that the approach was in line with guidance from the Policy and Resource Committee to "make sure that costs are met by those who use the service rather than being funded by other taxpayers who may never use the service".

Planning and building control fees last rose in 2024 by 7.3%.

Officials said the service was looking into how AI and other technology could improve efficiency.

Chris Crew, senior planning consultant at law firm Collas Crill, said he was "surprised" by the increase and would have liked to have seen an explanation of how the figure of 17% came about.

Mr Crew added it was "not entirely fair that all of the costs of delivering the system be placed on applicants" but that he understood the States wanted "to make services supported by those who are using them".

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