I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please could you provide answers to as many of the following questions as possible:
1. Please provide a breakdown of how the additional income generated from the increase in planning application fees introduced on 6 December 2023 has been allocated or spent. Where possible, please specify the services or functions supported and the amount allocated to each.
The additional income generated from the increase in planning application fees introduced on 6 December 2023 has been used to fund the county council’s planning service. The cost of the planning service is in excess of the fee income received. The additional income is included within planning fees as a whole and therefore a further breakdown of the increase alone is not able to be provided.
2. Has the additional income generated from the planning application fee increase introduced on 6 December 2023 been used exclusively to support the delivery of the Local Authority’s planning function?
Yes.
3. What percentage of residential planning applications (minor and major), submitted after 6 December 2023, have resulted in an agreed extension of time?
4. What percentage of residential planning applications (minor and major), submitted after 6 December 2023, have resulted in fee refunds under the Planning Guarantee?
For questions 3 and 4, Devon Council Council does not deal with residential applications so do not hold this information. Please contact District and Unitary Councils at the following link Neighbouring authorities contact details.